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The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has adopted its Five-Year Strategic Research Plan for 2025–2030, “reaffirming the agency’s commitment to science-driven policymaking that protects public health and addresses the growing threats of climate change.” The plan outlines CARB’s research priorities in five areas – health, ambient air quality, climate, mobile sources, and sustainable transportation, housing, and communities. Environmental justice and economic concerns are addressed throughout the five areas.
“While the federal government recklessly dismantles decades of proven science and undermines public trust, California is doubling down on facts, data and accountability,” said CARB Chair Liane Randolph. “This plan isn’t just a roadmap for cleaner air and smart climate action; it’s a declaration that science still matters. We’re building policies that are resilient, adaptive and rooted in evidence.”
CARB said it is continuing to embrace science-driven policymaking when the federal government is retreating from it. “Many of the California-specific research needs may be relevant to other jurisdictions, particularly where federal research may no longer be available,” the plan states.
Five Research Areas
- Health – CARB will expand research on the health impacts of air pollution and climate change, with a focus on vulnerable populations and cumulative effects. Priorities include wildfire smoke and extreme weather.
- Ambient Air Quality – To meet increasingly stringent federal air quality standards, CARB will continue to study fine particulate matter (PM2.5), ozone, and air toxics. Research will support State Implementation Plans, improve air quality models, and address disparities in overburdened communities.
- Climate – CARB’s climate research will support the state’s carbon neutrality goals by improving greenhouse gas (GHG) inventories, quantifying carbon sequestration efforts, and assessing the impacts of wildfires and refrigerants. The plan also emphasizes the co-benefits of climate action for all affected communities.
- Mobile Sources – With mobile sources remaining the largest contributor to smog-forming emissions and GHGs, CARB will focus on real-world emissions monitoring, zero-emission vehicle adoption, and non-exhaust emissions like brake and tire wear.
- Sustainable Transportation, Housing, and Communities – CARB will study strategies to reduce vehicle miles traveled, promote affordable infill housing, and support walkable, transit-accessible communities. Research will evaluate the effectiveness of land use, housing, and transportation policies in achieving climate goals and equity co-benefits.
The plan incorporates public input from meetings, surveys, and a 30-day comment period. It will direct up to 12 research projects a year, often conducted by outside entities, with priority given to researchers at California State University and the University of California systems as required under state law.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn.
He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe.
Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap.
AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks.
Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.
Climate Change – CARB Adopts Five-Year Research Plan
Click to enlarge.
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has adopted its Five-Year Strategic Research Plan for 2025–2030, “reaffirming the agency’s commitment to science-driven policymaking that protects public health and addresses the growing threats of climate change.” The plan outlines CARB’s research priorities in five areas – health, ambient air quality, climate, mobile sources, and sustainable transportation, housing, and communities. Environmental justice and economic concerns are addressed throughout the five areas.
“While the federal government recklessly dismantles decades of proven science and undermines public trust, California is doubling down on facts, data and accountability,” said CARB Chair Liane Randolph. “This plan isn’t just a roadmap for cleaner air and smart climate action; it’s a declaration that science still matters. We’re building policies that are resilient, adaptive and rooted in evidence.”
CARB said it is continuing to embrace science-driven policymaking when the federal government is retreating from it. “Many of the California-specific research needs may be relevant to other jurisdictions, particularly where federal research may no longer be available,” the plan states.
Five Research Areas
The plan incorporates public input from meetings, surveys, and a 30-day comment period. It will direct up to 12 research projects a year, often conducted by outside entities, with priority given to researchers at California State University and the University of California systems as required under state law.
About Ken Zino
Ken Zino, editor and publisher of AutoInformed, is a versatile auto industry participant with global experience spanning decades in print and broadcast journalism, as well as social media. He has automobile testing, marketing, public relations and communications experience. He is past president of The International Motor Press Assn, the Detroit Press Club, founding member and first President of the Automotive Press Assn. He is a member of APA, IMPA and the Midwest Automotive Press Assn. He also brings an historical perspective while citing their contemporary relevance of the work of legendary auto writers such as Ken Purdy, Jim Dunne or Jerry Flint, or writers such as Red Smith, Mark Twain, Thomas Jefferson – all to bring perspective to a chaotic automotive universe. Above all, decades after he first drove a car, Zino still revels in the sound of the exhaust as the throttle is blipped during a downshift and the driver’s rush that occurs when the entry, apex and exit points of a turn are smoothly and swiftly crossed. It’s the beginning of a perfect lap. AutoInformed has an editorial philosophy that loves transportation machines of all kinds while promoting critical thinking about the future use of cars and trucks. Zino builds AutoInformed from his background in automotive journalism starting at Hearst Publishing in New York City on Motor and MotorTech Magazines and car testing where he reviewed hundreds of vehicles in his decade-long stint as the Detroit Bureau Chief of Road & Track magazine. Zino has also worked in Europe, and Asia – now the largest automotive market in the world with China at its center.