Rincon Consultants Blog Executive Order Establishes Further Reduction to California's GHG Emissions

In the light of the growing concern for climate change impacts faced by California, Governor Jerry Brown issued Executive Order B-30-15 on Wednesday, April 29th , establishing a greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction target of 40% below 1990 levels by 2030. The intent of the Executive Order is to further reduce carbon emissions beyond the 2020 statewide target established under California Assembly Bill (AB) 32. This Executive Order is the most aggressive benchmark adopted in the Americas and mirrors goals established by the European Union. By highlighting the importance of reducing risk from impacts from sea-level rise, coastal storms and erosion, the Executive Order calls for all state agencies to include climate change in their planning and investment decisions, and employ full life-cycle costing methods to evaluate infrastructure investments and less carbon-intensive alternatives. The Order also includes provisions requiring the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to update the Climate Change Scoping Plan and for the California Natural Resources Agency to update the state's climate adaptation strategy every three years.