California Raises the Bar with Ambitious Climate Legislation

(SAN FRANCISCO – August 24, 2016) Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) today salutes action by the California Legislature to pass a package of climate bills (SB 32 and AB 197) that commits California to reducing greenhouse gas pollution to at least 40% below 1990 levels by 2030 while promoting equity and public health benefits.

“California is a model for the world on climate and today the California Legislature has extended that leadership for another generation. As major economies work under the Paris Agreement to strengthen their plans to cut pollution and boost clean energy, California, once again, is setting a new standard for climate leadership worldwide.

“After ten years of groundbreaking climate action, California is ahead of schedule in meeting its ambitious 2020 reduction targets and has been rewarded with a robust economy that is not dependent on increasing pollution to grow or to add jobs. The deeper 2030 reduction targets that the Legislature passed today will ensure the state’s economy and the environment continue to thrive.

“In 2006, EDF was a co-sponsor of the Global Warming Solutions Act. Today we are honored to be among a vast and diverse coalition, including business leaders and environmental, equity, labor, faith, health and consumer groups, supporting this bold action to cut climate pollution. It is a move that will continue to allow human prosperity and environmental progress to go hand in hand.” 

• Diane Regas, Executive Director, Environmental Defense Fund