Climate Targets

| Blog Post

Testimony: Recommendations for carbon sequestration on natural and working lands in California’s new climate plan

California Flag

On December 15, 2022, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) held its final public hearing related to the Scoping Plan, the state’s five-year roadmap for meeting its climate targets. While feedback from scientists and advocates has improved the plan significantly since the beginning of the year, gaps in CARB’s modeling and flaws in its approach … Read more

Categories Carbon Sequestration Climate Justice Climate Targets Fossil Fuels

The Climate Center at COP 27

Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt
Ellie Cohen and Vincent Wiraatmadja at COP 27

At COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt in 2022, there was a historic, eleventh-hour agreement by the countries of the world to establish a “loss and damage” fund. For the first time, the world’s largest historic climate polluters, led by the United States, are acknowledging the need to formally address climate justice and establish funding mechanisms … Read more

| Press Release

California legislative session ends with breakthroughs on climate

Climate Rally in Sacramento

SACRAMENTO — On the final day to pass legislation in 2022, California state lawmakers went late into the night to deliver historic policies that will reduce climate pollution and protect frontline communities.  In response, The Climate Center CEO Ellie Cohen said: “California has the tools and know-how to lead the world toward a climate-safe future. … Read more

Categories Carbon Sequestration Clean Energy Climate Justice Climate Targets Fossil Fuels Public Health
| Press Release

Governor Newsom directs CARB to prioritize nature-based carbon removal in revised Scoping Plan

Gavin Newsom by Charlie Kaijo

SACRAMENTO — Late last week, Governor Gavin Newsom directed the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to make major changes to its draft climate plan. In a letter sent to CARB Chair Liane Randolph on July 22, Newsom wrote “we need to up our game” and urged CARB to address six key areas in its draft … Read more

Categories Carbon Sequestration Climate Targets
| Press Release

California’s natural carbon removal bill AB 2649 passes out of two Senate committees

SACRAMENTO, June 29, 2022 — Today, the Natural Carbon Sequestration and Resilience Act (AB 2649, C. Garcia) advanced out of the California State Senate Environmental Quality Committee by a vote of five to two. Earlier this month, the bill passed out of the Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee with bipartisan support.  AB 2649 aims … Read more

Categories Carbon Sequestration Climate Targets
| Press Release

Bill to set California’s first statutory targets for natural carbon removal passes out of Assembly: Fights drought and heat waves

SACRAMENTO — By a 52-13 vote, the Natural Carbon Sequestration and Resilience Act (AB 2649, C. Garcia) advanced out of the California State Assembly on Monday evening. AB 2649 aims to set California’s first-ever statutory targets for naturally removing past climate pollution from the atmosphere through soil and vegetation on natural, urban, and working lands. … Read more

Categories Carbon Sequestration Climate Targets
| Press Release

Scientists and academics respond to draft California Air Resources Board Scoping Plan

LOS ANGELES — Scientists and academics from across California today joined advocates criticizing a plan released by the California Air Resources Board for reaching carbon neutrality, saying the plan is a setback for the state and the world. The Draft Scoping Plan makes no changes to the emission reduction targets adopted in 2017, despite Governor … Read more

Categories Clean Energy Climate Targets
| Press Release

Bill to set nation’s first-ever targets for naturally removing past climate pollution passes out of California Assembly Natural Resources Committee

SACRAMENTO, April 26, 2022 — By a 7-3 vote, the Natural Carbon Sequestration and Resilience Act (AB 2649) advanced out of the California Assembly Natural Resources Committee on Monday evening. AB 2649 aims to set California’s first-ever statutory targets for naturally removing past climate pollution from the atmosphere through soil and vegetation on natural, urban, … Read more

Categories Carbon Sequestration Climate Targets
| Press Release

The Natural Carbon Sequestration and Resilience Act of 2022: New bill introduced by The Climate Center and Assemblymember Cristina Garcia

healthy soils

SACRAMENTO, March 22, 2022 — Today, The Climate Center and Assemblymember Cristina Garcia (D-Bell Gardens) introduced the Natural Carbon Sequestration and Resilience Act of 2022 (AB 2649). The bill aims to set California’s first-ever statutory targets for naturally removing past climate pollution from the atmosphere through soil and vegetation on natural, urban, and working lands.  … Read more

Categories Carbon Sequestration Climate Targets