California needs to triple emissions reduction rate to meet 2030 goal, study shows
A study by a San Francisco-based think tank reveals the state is not on pace for its goals. A study by San Francisco-based think tank Next 10 has found that California needs to triple its carbon emission reduction rate to meet its 2030 levels goal. The state currently aims to reduce its emissions to 40% below its 1990 levels. The study found that after a dip during the COVID-19 pandemic, California's emissions jumped by 3.4% in 2021. Passenger vehicles accounted for 10.6% of this increase. Since 2010, California has decreased its annual emissions by about 1.5% per year, but will need to increase this pace to 4.4%. Despite this, California remains one of the most aggressive states at mitigating emissions. In October, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a law requiring companies earning over $1 billion annually to publicly report all emissions associated with business operations.
Published : 2 months ago by JACKSON WALKER | The National Desk, http://www.facebook.com/kmphfox26 in Environment
A new study by San Francisco-based think tank Next 10 shows California must triple the rate of its carbon emission reductions to meet its 2030 levels goal.
California currently hopes to slash its emissions down to 40% below its 1990 levels. After a dip during the COVID-19 pandemic, the state’s emissions of carbon dioxide, methane and other climate-warming gases jumped by 3.4% in 2021, according to the study. While electric vehicle sales are up in the state, passenger vehicles accounted for 10.6% of this increase.
Since 2010, the state has chipped away at its annual emissions with decreases of about 1.5% per year. However, it will need to accelerate this pace to 4.4% per year if it still hopes to meet its 2030 deadline, according to Next 10.
“Even in more recent years, California’s emissions decreased by only 1.6 percent on average per year from 2016 to 2021—much less than the rate needed to meet the 2030 goal,” researchers wrote. “Using the trajectory in emissions since 2010, California won’t meet the 2030 goal until 2047.”
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Despite this, California remains one of the most aggressive states at mitigating emissions. Gov. Gavin Newsom in October signed a law requiring companies operating in the state and earning more than $1 billion annually to publicly report all emissions associated with business operations. This includes both direct and indirect associations, as well as those created by the commutes of employees and contractors.
The goal of the bill, known as the Climate Corporate Accountability Act, is for companies to own up to their emissions and to encourage them to find ways to cut them. Major companies such as Apple and Patagonia supported the measure, saying they already disclose much of their emissions.
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Topics: Data, Climate Change, ESG