California's Global Warming Solutions Act

Getting the policies of this landmark law right will ensure the greatest environmental and economic benefits.

Environmental Defense Fund co-sponsored California's Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (AB 32), landmark legislation that set an absolute statewide limit on greenhouse gas emissions.

The law confirmed California's commitment to transition to a sustainable, clean energy economy, helped put climate change front and center on the national agenda and spurred similar action by states and regions across the United States.

What must be done and how

AB 32 requires California to lower greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, the equivalent of taking approximately 28 million cars off the nation's roads. To meet reduction targets, the California Air Resources Board (CARB), the lead agency responsible for implementing the act, is following a blueprint known as the AB 32 Climate Change Scoping Plan. The plan lays out the strategy and a comprehensive set of actions including:

• Expanding and strengthening energy efficiency programs and building and appliance standards.


• Achieving a statewide renewable energy mix of 33% by 2020.


• Developing a California cap-and-trade program that links with other Western Climate Initiative partner programs to create a regional market system.


• Establishing targets for transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions for regions throughout California, and pursuing policies and incentives to achieve those targets.


• Adopting and implementing direct measures to reduce emissions and protect public health, including California's clean car standards, goods movement measures and the Low Carbon Fuel Standard.

Guaranteeing sound policy decisions

CARB is deciding on and finalizing the AB 32 policies between now and January 1, 2012, when the law takes effect. EDF is working to ensure that AB 32 implementation goes smoothly and is completed on schedule.

The law’s cap-and-trade measure, which was scheduled to begin that same day, will now go into effect on January 1, 2013. The polluters that will be covered under the program will have another year to comply before they are required to reduce emissions under the program. While compliance will be delayed by a year, the total amount of emission reductions required remain the same. This change gives California more time to hone the regulation but ensures it can deliver continued economic benefits and meet its environmental goals.

EDF continued to play a focal role in building and sustaining overall public and political support and momentum for the law. We are providing CARB with expertise so that policies maximize environmental and economic benefits, create long-term investments in California communities and protect communities from disproportionate environmental or economic impacts.

Overall, AB 32 policies are being designed so that they can be harmonized with and complement national and international climate change policies.