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The California Air Resources Board says that 2020 was another record year for California Climate Investments with more than $3.1 billion invested in more than 51,000 projects across California’s 58 counties. Projects implemented in 2020 alone will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by almost 18 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent over the course of their lifetimes.
Despite Republican opposition, Californians have gained from these CARB investments through improved public health, fire prevention, affordable housing and energy efficiency, as well as significant reductions in emissions of greenhouse gases. To date, California Climate Investments projects have helped plant more than 133,000 urban trees, reduced smog-forming and other air pollutants by more than 60,000 tons, added more than 7,200 new affordable housing units, and saved Californians almost $93 million through water energy‑efficiency projects.
These benefits, among others, are explained in the latest Annual Report to the Legislature on the use of auction proceeds from the state’s cap-and-trade program. The report is a key resource for tracking the progress of California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative putting cap-and-trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health – principally among priority populations.
Cap-and-trade auction proceeds are placed in the state Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, then appropriated by the Legislature and distributed as California Climate Investments. That money is then awarded to individual projects selected by more than 20 different state agencies.
“The breadth and depth of the climate investment program helps to reduce California’s greenhouse gas emissions, while benefiting every county in the state,” said CARB Chair Liane Randolph. “These investments also benefit the state’s priority communities, those most heavily burdened by air pollution and toxics. Projects in these neighborhoods reduce exposure to harmful air pollution and provide them – and all Californians – with more transportation options, cleaner air, increased energy efficiency and greener, more livable communities.”
Nearly a Half Million Projects
Nearly a half million projects have been funded so far since the first California Climate Investments appropriations were made in 2014. These projects are providing substantial benefits to communities across the state while making significant greenhouse gas emission reductions. To date, California Climate Investments projects are expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 66 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent during their lifetimes, not including an additional 102 million metric tons expected from a completed High-Speed Rail project. The $3.1 billion 2020 investment included nearly $1.4 billion in funds implemented last year by the California High-Speed Rail Authority.
In addition to greenhouse gas emissions reductions, investments improve community health and reduce exposure to air pollutants that impair heart and lung health. Projects implemented in 2020 are expected to reduce an estimated 32,800 tons of criteria air pollutant emissions over project lifetimes.
Individual projects reduce air pollution through incentives for cleaner vehicles and equipment; promote active transportation; increase mobility through transit projects and transit-oriented affordable housing; ensure safe, accessible and affordable drinking water; and contribute to restoring and protecting forests, vital watersheds, and world-class agricultural lands.
California Climate Investments projects in 2020 are estimated to directly support more than 84,000 jobs in California, across all sectors of the economy, and tens of thousands more indirect jobs by creating demand for goods and services in other industries. Investments also contribute to a just and equitable transition to a low-carbon economy through targeted workforce training and development initiatives.
Highlights from the 2021 Annual Report
- More than 40,000 consumer rebates issued for zero-emission and plug-in hybrid vehicles, with a growing percentage, 38% last year, going to lower-income applicants
- 2,462 new, affordable housing units under contract
- 128,000 acres of land preserved, restored or treated
- 148,000 tons of waste diverted from landfills
- 341 million gallons (gas and diesel) fuel use avoided
- 500,000 trees planted
AutoInformed on CARB
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.
Record year for California Climate Investments
Click to Enlarge.
The California Air Resources Board says that 2020 was another record year for California Climate Investments with more than $3.1 billion invested in more than 51,000 projects across California’s 58 counties. Projects implemented in 2020 alone will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by almost 18 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent over the course of their lifetimes.
Despite Republican opposition, Californians have gained from these CARB investments through improved public health, fire prevention, affordable housing and energy efficiency, as well as significant reductions in emissions of greenhouse gases. To date, California Climate Investments projects have helped plant more than 133,000 urban trees, reduced smog-forming and other air pollutants by more than 60,000 tons, added more than 7,200 new affordable housing units, and saved Californians almost $93 million through water energy‑efficiency projects.
These benefits, among others, are explained in the latest Annual Report to the Legislature on the use of auction proceeds from the state’s cap-and-trade program. The report is a key resource for tracking the progress of California Climate Investments, a statewide initiative putting cap-and-trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health – principally among priority populations.
Cap-and-trade auction proceeds are placed in the state Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, then appropriated by the Legislature and distributed as California Climate Investments. That money is then awarded to individual projects selected by more than 20 different state agencies.
“The breadth and depth of the climate investment program helps to reduce California’s greenhouse gas emissions, while benefiting every county in the state,” said CARB Chair Liane Randolph. “These investments also benefit the state’s priority communities, those most heavily burdened by air pollution and toxics. Projects in these neighborhoods reduce exposure to harmful air pollution and provide them – and all Californians – with more transportation options, cleaner air, increased energy efficiency and greener, more livable communities.”
Nearly a Half Million Projects
Nearly a half million projects have been funded so far since the first California Climate Investments appropriations were made in 2014. These projects are providing substantial benefits to communities across the state while making significant greenhouse gas emission reductions. To date, California Climate Investments projects are expected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 66 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent during their lifetimes, not including an additional 102 million metric tons expected from a completed High-Speed Rail project. The $3.1 billion 2020 investment included nearly $1.4 billion in funds implemented last year by the California High-Speed Rail Authority.
In addition to greenhouse gas emissions reductions, investments improve community health and reduce exposure to air pollutants that impair heart and lung health. Projects implemented in 2020 are expected to reduce an estimated 32,800 tons of criteria air pollutant emissions over project lifetimes.
Individual projects reduce air pollution through incentives for cleaner vehicles and equipment; promote active transportation; increase mobility through transit projects and transit-oriented affordable housing; ensure safe, accessible and affordable drinking water; and contribute to restoring and protecting forests, vital watersheds, and world-class agricultural lands.
California Climate Investments projects in 2020 are estimated to directly support more than 84,000 jobs in California, across all sectors of the economy, and tens of thousands more indirect jobs by creating demand for goods and services in other industries. Investments also contribute to a just and equitable transition to a low-carbon economy through targeted workforce training and development initiatives.
Highlights from the 2021 Annual Report
AutoInformed on CARB
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.