Fossil Fuels

| Press Release

California is facing a historic budget deficit. Making polluters pay is the solution. 

Activists and lawmakers gather for the Make Polluters Pay rally in fall of 2024. Photo by Ryan Schleeter.

SACRAMENTO — Today, Governor Gavin Newsom unveiled his May budget revision, which outlines his plans to address a historic deficit estimated at $12 billion.  In response, Barry Vesser, Chief Operating Officer for The Climate Center, said: “California is in a budget crisis. Making Polluters Pay is the solution. The state cannot afford to continue giving … Read more

Categories Climate Justice Fossil Fuels
| Blog Post

The 2025 California Climate Policy Summit: Growing our power together

Thanks to the more than 400 of you who were able to join us last week for the 2025 California Climate Policy Summit in Sacramento. It was an inspiring day of learning, action, and community, despite the challenges we face from rapidly worsening climate impacts and a science-denying, pro-oil federal administration. California State Senate President … Read more

Categories Clean Energy Climate Justice Climate Targets Community Energy Resilience Fossil Fuels Natural Carbon Sequestration
| Blog Post

Opening remarks at the California Climate Policy Summit 2025

CA Climate Policy Summit 2025

On April 22, 2025, The Climate Center convened 400 climate activists, environmental justice advocates, state decision-makers, elected officials, business leaders, scientists, and policy experts for the fourth annual California Climate Policy Summit. Thank you to everyone who joined us! Together, we’ll continue building support for accelerated, equitable climate policy. Read here the opening remarks from The … Read more

Categories Community Energy Resilience Fossil Fuels Just Transition Natural Carbon Sequestration
| Post

The climate movement needs all hands on deck

We must act with courage and perseverance in these challenging times. That is one of the key takeaways I shared in a newly released book, Facing the Climate Future Together: Voices for Advocacy and Action, highlighting The Climate Center’s work alongside 32 other climate leaders.  These leaders know that taking action is essential to advancing … Read more

Categories Climate Justice Fossil Fuels
| Blog Post

Three new California climate bills I’m excited about

As the president dismantles climate progress and much more, California’s bold climate leadership is needed more urgently than ever. That’s why I’m especially excited about these three new climate bills before California’s state legislature. The Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act — introduced as SB 684 (Menjivar) in the Senate and AB 1243 (Addis) in the … Read more

Categories Clean Energy Community Energy Resilience Fossil Fuels
| Blog Post

Testimony: Reform Cap and Trade to cut pollution and help working Californians

On February 26, 2025, the California Joint Legislative Committee on Climate Change Policies held a hearing on the state’s Cap and Trade program. California’s Cap and Trade program. The program is supposed to be one of the most effective tools California has for both reducing climate pollution and generating funds to invest in climate solutions. … Read more

Categories Climate Targets Fossil Fuels
| Blog Post

Big Oil’s record-breaking lobbying blocks climate action

Big Oil spent a record $38 million on lobbying in California in 2024 to obstruct climate progress, shattering its 2017 record by 31 percent. The Western States Petroleum Association (WSPA) and Chevron, which together accounted for 83 percent of the industry’s expenditure in 2024, broke their previous spending record, with a combined $31.6 million last … Read more

Categories Climate Targets Fossil Fuels
| Take Action

Tell California leaders: No more giveaways for Big Oil through Cap and Trade

Oil pumpjack on fire. Photo by Canva.

State lawmakers will begin the long process of reauthorizing and possibly reforming California’s Cap and Trade program this year. Cap and Trade is California’s market-based system intended to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. It works by setting a limit on the total amount of emissions allowed within the state, then allowing companies to buy and sell … Read more

Categories Fossil Fuels

Reforming California’s Cap and Trade Program

Zoom

California’s Cap and Trade program, historically a cornerstone of the state’s efforts to reduce climate pollution, is likely to see significant reforms as part of a reauthorization process in 2025. The program is currently authorized to run through 2030, but the long process of reviewing it has begun. While oil companies are pushing to extend … Read more