Climate Policy in California
California’s Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, or AB-32, requires the state to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2020. SB-32 was enacted in 2016, extending the requirement to achieve a reduction in GHG emissions to 40% below 1990 levels by 2030.
Three Decades of Cap and Trade
Read about cap-and-trade programs in California and at the federal level.
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The AHEAD Project
Explore this project that assesses climate policies in California and Germany.
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Explainer — Sep 30, 2020
Carbon Pricing 301: Advanced Topics in Carbon Pricing in the Electricity Sector
How can carbon pricing lower emissions in the power sector? This explainer gives an in-depth outline of the central factors.
Common Resources — Feb 5, 2020
Environmental Repercussions of Rideshares
New research from an RFF scholar investigates how ridesharing affects different cities, offering insights for policymakers who have concerns about environmental impacts.
Press Release — Feb 4, 2020
New Episode of Resources Radio: "Extra! Extra! Listen All About It: A Conversation with Energy and Climate Journalist Amy Harder"
With accurate coverage of climate change more important than ever, Axios reporter Amy Harder elaborates on the crucial role of unbiased journalism.
Explainer — Sep 30, 2020
Carbon Pricing 301: Advanced Topics in Carbon Pricing in the Electricity Sector
How can carbon pricing lower emissions in the power sector? This explainer gives an in-depth outline of the central factors.
Working Paper — Nov 20, 2019
California’s Evolving Zero Emission Vehicle Program: Pulling New Technology into the Market
California’s Zero Emission Vehicle program was created to bring electric vehicles to the market. The program has succeeded in some ways and struggled in others, and new major changes to the requirements will require more cost-effective, consistent approaches than have been used in the past.
Testimony and Public Comments — Oct 24, 2019
Comments on the Use of Renewable Energy Credits to Determine the Fuel Mix and GHG-Intensity of Power
Comments submitted to the California Energy Commission regarding proposed modifications to the Power Source Disclosure program
Workshop/Seminar — Dec 3, 2018
New Research Questions on Electricity, Transportation, and Carbon Markets: What Stands in the Way Becomes the Way
Workshop/Seminar — Jan 23, 2018
California’s Climate Action: Leadership from the States
This event provided insights into California’s commitment to tackling climate change and protecting its natural environment.
Webinar — Jul 18, 2017
The Future of California’s Cap-and-Trade Program: Policy Choices and Implications for Cross-Border Linkage
On July 18, experts hosted an interactive online panel discussion about the proposed features of these competing pathways for the California cap-and-trade program, what modifications or amendments may be considered as they work through the legislative process, potential implications for the California carbon market, and the potential effects on linkage with the programs in Quebec, Ontario, and other jurisdictions that might consider linkage in the future.
Press Release — Feb 4, 2020
New Episode of Resources Radio: "Extra! Extra! Listen All About It: A Conversation with Energy and Climate Journalist Amy Harder"
With accurate coverage of climate change more important than ever, Axios reporter Amy Harder elaborates on the crucial role of unbiased journalism.
Press Release — Nov 26, 2019
New Episode of Resources Radio: “Waive Goodbye? The History and Future of the California Waiver, with Emily Wimberger”
Emily Wimberger provides an overview of the California waiver, and what it would mean for state and national environmental policy if it were revoked.
Media Highlight — Mar 20, 2019
As Carbon Pricing Proposals Multiply, What's the Right Carbon Price?
Common Resources — Feb 5, 2020
Environmental Repercussions of Rideshares
New research from an RFF scholar investigates how ridesharing affects different cities, offering insights for policymakers who have concerns about environmental impacts.
Common Resources — Dec 2, 2019
The California ZEV Program: A Long and Bumpy Road, but Finally Some Success
A history of California's Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) program, in three separate phases of the program's evolution.
Resources Radio — Nov 26, 2019
Waive Goodbye? The History and Future of the California Waiver, with Emily Wimberger
Emily Wimberger provides an overview of the California waiver―its history, why the Trump administration is moving to revoke it, and the broader impact it has on US environmental policy.