California’s AB 32 (the Global Warming Solutions Act) was passed into law in 2006.  It commits the state to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, and to 80% below 1990 levels by 2050.  In late 2008, as the California Air Resources Board was determining how it would reach AB 32’s emission reduction goals, SB 375 was signed into law.  SB 375 established a new framework for reducing greenhouse gas emissions through smarter land use and transportation strategies, and the AB 32 Scoping Plan essentially defers to this process. 

More About SB 375

When California’s SB 375 was signed into law in late 2008, ClimatePlan recognized an exciting new venue for achieving our vision.

SB 375 (Steinberg) requires the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to develop regional greenhouse gas reduction targets for automobiles and light trucks. The methodologies and factors that will be used to set the targets are being developed by the Regional Targets Advisory Committee.  The regions will then develop transportation and land-use plans designed to achieve the emissions reduction targets.

ClimatePlan is working to ensure the full potential of SB 375 is realized.  Click here for more info on what we do.

Click here for additional information and downloads on SB 375
Click here for CARB’s SB 375 website

More About AB 32

In 2006, California passed AB 32, the Global Warming Solutions Act, making California the first state in the nation to commit to achieving the Kyoto Protocol. Under AB 32, California will reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, and to 80% below 1990 levels by 2050.

The AB 32 Scoping Plan was adopted in December 2008 and includes a range of GHG reduction actions.  Smart land use was designated as one of the areas of opportunity for GHG reduction and ClimatePlan originally advocated for an ambitious GHG reduction target to be established through the Scoping Plan.  In the weeks before the Scoping Plan was adopted however, SB 375 was signed into law.  SB 375 establishes both a policy framework and a political mandate for addressing GHG’s from land use.  Therefore, the Scoping Plan identifies an emission reduction target of 5 MMT of CO2 from the land use sector, but notes that the target is a placeholder, and the final target will be determined through the SB 375 target-setting process.

Click here for additional information and downloads on AB 32.
Click here for CARB's AB 32 website.