Just Transition

Holistic Transition Forum: Navigating to a Fossil-Free California

The California Endowment Oakland Regional Office, 2000 Franklin St., Oakland, California 94612

The Forum will explore the challenges of — and seek alignment on — California policy regarding the comprehensive, coordinated, equity-centered, labor-inclusive, managed transition away from fossil fuels and toward a clean energy economy. The Forum is co-hosted by The Climate Center, the California Environmental Justice Alliance, Communities for a Better Environment, United Steelworkers Local 675, … Read more

| Blog Post

Climate legislation that passed (and died) in California this year

The 2026 California legislative session came to a close on August 31, and the legislation passed by our representatives is now awaiting Governor Newsom’s signature.  As a reminder, The Climate Center crafts, sponsors, and supports bold, ambitious climate legislation in three areas: phasing out polluting fuels, building community energy resilience, and drawing carbon out of … Read more

Categories Carbon Drawdown Community Energy Resilience Fossil Fuels Just Transition

Unlocking the Potential of NextGen Geothermal Energy in California

Geothermal energy plant. Photo by Canva.

California stands at a clean energy crossroads. To achieve 100 percent clean electricity by 2045 — as required by law — the state will of course need more wind, solar, and battery storage, but that’s not all. Next-generation geothermal energy is a compelling, 24/7/365, clean energy source that can support the electrical grid around the … Read more

| Take Action

Tell Governor Newsom to accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels

In 2022 and 2024, Governor Newsom called two special sessions of the California legislature to address refinery closures, gasoline supply, and gas prices. In both special sessions, legislation was enacted to help navigate the transition to zero-emission transportation.  In these special sessions, Governor Newsom championed solutions to address the transition away from fossil fuels. Unfortunately, … Read more

Categories Fossil Fuels Just Transition

The Transportation Fuels Transition Plan: Moving California Beyond Fossil Fuels

California is in what experts are calling a mid-transition away from fossil fuels, meaning neither the declining fossil fuel-based energy system nor the emerging clean energy economy are entirely stable or self-sustaining. To help navigate the transition to zero-emission transportation, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) and California Energy Commission (CEC) were tasked with producing … Read more

| Press Release

New report reveals California funneled $28 billion to corporate polluters via carbon trading programs

Webinar on February 19 will unpack findings and explore policy solutions

SACRAMENTO — California’s carbon trading programs funneled $27.8 billion to oil companies and biofuel suppliers from 2013 to 2024, according to a new report from The Climate Center released today. The report, Clearing the Zero-Emission Path: A Review of Financial Transfers to Polluting Fuels via California Carbon Trading Programs, finds the combined value of free … Read more

Categories Fossil Fuels Just Transition Transportation
| Report

Clearing the Zero-Emission Path

A review of financial transfers to polluting fuels via California carbon trading programs

This report reveals how California’s carbon trading programs funneled $27.8 billion to oil companies and biofuel suppliers from 2013 to 2024.  Both the Cap and Trade program and the Low Carbon Fuel Standard have the stated purpose of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and helping California meet its statutory climate goals. In reality, our analysis shows … Read more

Categories Fossil Fuels Just Transition Transportation

Twelve Years of Giveaways to Polluting Industries via California Carbon Trading Programs

Zoom

Between 2013 and 2024, California distributed nearly $28 billion to the oil industry and biofuel companies from two state climate programs: the Low Carbon Fuel Standard and the Cap and Invest program. That is the research finding that was presented in this webinar by the authors of a new report by The Climate Center: Clearing … Read more

| Blog Post

Testimony: Transitioning to a clean transportation future in California

On August 20, 2025, the Assembly Utilities and Energy, Natural Resources, and Transportation Committees held a joint hearing on how to further an equitable transition from fossil fuels to clean transportation fuels. The following testimony was given to the committees by Allison Hilliard, Legislative Manager for The Climate Center: We need bold, equitable action to … Read more

Categories Fossil Fuels Just Transition Transportation