Click to enlarge.
A report* released today by the California Air Resources Board shows that for 2022 greenhouse gas emissions dropped across most sectors and is the equivalent of removing more than 2.2 million gasoline- or diesel-fueled vehicles off California’s roads for one year. Between 2000 to 2022, emissions fell by 20% while California’s gross domestic product increased by 78%. This shows the effectiveness of the state’s climate change and air quality programs, which will be rejected by climate deniers and fossil fuel lobbying funding organizations, political candidates or parties.
“California is proving that climate action goes hand-in-hand with economic growth. We’ve slashed carbon pollution by a whopping 20% since the turn of the century all while building the world’s fifth largest economy. Cleaner air, more good jobs – that’s the California way,” said Governor Gavin Newsom.
“California has a plan to achieve its emission targets and the data show that the programs we put in place – which include increasing the use of clean fuels and making the switch to zero-emissions technology across sectors – are working,” said Dr. Steven Cliff, CARB’s Executive Officer. “California will continue to strengthen its programs to ensure that we are meeting our ambitious and urgent goals to achieve carbon neutrality and a clean air future.”
Report Highlights
- California has decreased the carbon intensity of its economy by 55% in the last 20 years.
- Emissions from on-road gasoline and diesel vehicles declined as a result of regulations such as Advanced Clean Cars and the Low Carbon Fuel Standard which require cleaner emissions technology and cleaner fuel.
- The electricity sector had its lowest carbon intensity since 2000. Wind and solar now represent 30% of generation and in-state solar increased by 15% from 2021, driven by requirements under the state’s Cap-and-Trade Program and Renewables Portfolio Standard. Furthermore, California increased its battery storage by 757% from 2019 through 2023, bolstering its renewable energy efforts. The storage capacity is enough to power 6.6 million homes for up to four hours.
- Industrial emissions declined by 2%, also falling to the lowest level in 22 years. While refinery emissions remained essentially flat, emissions from oil and gas extraction declined, as did emissions from other fuel use, cement manufacturing, and co-generation facilities.
- Livestock emissions, which are responsible for 70% of agriculture’s greenhouse gas emissions, peaked in 2012 and once again saw reductions in 2022. The decrease is driven by the use of methane digesters funded by the California Climate Investments and incentivized by the Low Carbon Fuel Standard, which capture emissions at the source and convert them to clean fuel.
- Landfill methane emissions also continued to decline in 2022. This decline can be attributed in part to the state’s efforts to reduce disposal of organic waste, as well as the California Landfill Methane Regulation, which requires landfill operators to monitor and capture emissions escaping from their facilities.
- Emissions from refrigerants also continue to decline in the transport sector. This reduction can be attributed to California’s transport refrigeration Airborne Toxic Control Measure and to the Low-Emission Vehicle Regulation (part of Advanced Clean Cars), which requires lower global warming potential refrigerants in automobiles.
- The residential and commercial sector had a rise in emissions, largely because of an increase in commercial activity that dropped off during the 2020 pandemic.
*California’s annual statewide greenhouse gas inventory relies on data from the Mandatory Reporting Regulation, which requires key sectors to submit third-party verified emissions data, as well federal and state sources.
“The numbers are clear: our world-leading regulations are reducing emissions, spurring innovation, and bringing us closer to achieving our climate goals,” said CARB Chair Liane Randolph. “A future with clean air and a vibrant economy is possible and California is leading the way.”
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.
California Economy Booms as Greenhouse Gases Decline
Click to enlarge.
A report* released today by the California Air Resources Board shows that for 2022 greenhouse gas emissions dropped across most sectors and is the equivalent of removing more than 2.2 million gasoline- or diesel-fueled vehicles off California’s roads for one year. Between 2000 to 2022, emissions fell by 20% while California’s gross domestic product increased by 78%. This shows the effectiveness of the state’s climate change and air quality programs, which will be rejected by climate deniers and fossil fuel lobbying funding organizations, political candidates or parties.
“California is proving that climate action goes hand-in-hand with economic growth. We’ve slashed carbon pollution by a whopping 20% since the turn of the century all while building the world’s fifth largest economy. Cleaner air, more good jobs – that’s the California way,” said Governor Gavin Newsom.
“California has a plan to achieve its emission targets and the data show that the programs we put in place – which include increasing the use of clean fuels and making the switch to zero-emissions technology across sectors – are working,” said Dr. Steven Cliff, CARB’s Executive Officer. “California will continue to strengthen its programs to ensure that we are meeting our ambitious and urgent goals to achieve carbon neutrality and a clean air future.”
Report Highlights
*California’s annual statewide greenhouse gas inventory relies on data from the Mandatory Reporting Regulation, which requires key sectors to submit third-party verified emissions data, as well federal and state sources.
“The numbers are clear: our world-leading regulations are reducing emissions, spurring innovation, and bringing us closer to achieving our climate goals,” said CARB Chair Liane Randolph. “A future with clean air and a vibrant economy is possible and California is leading the way.”
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.