By Nadia Lopez

WHAT THE BILL DOES

AB 1279, authored by Democratic Assemblymembers Al Muratsuchi of Torrance and Cristina Garcia of Bell Gardens, codifies California’s commitment to reach carbon neutrality by 2045. To achieve this target, the state needs to reduce its fossil fuel use by 91% – a target that the California Air Resources Board has prioritized in this year’s climate change blueprint. Carbon neutrality means balancing the volume of greenhouse gases that are emitted with the amount removed from the atmosphere. 

It was part of the climate action plan that Gov. Gavin Newsom pushed legislators in mid-August to help meet the state’s carbon-neutral goals. One ambitious bill for tackling climate change, however, was shot down by the Assembly: AB 2133 – which would have ramped up goals for reducing greenhouse gases — failed at the last minute.

WHO SUPPORTS IT

Newsom and environmental groups are top supporters. Supporters say the world could exceed the 1.5 degree celsius threshold of dangerous warming as early as 2030, and that California must do its part to avoid the dire effects of climate change. 

WHO IS OPPOSED 

The Western States Petroleum Association and the California Chamber of Commerce were two of the most outspoken opponents, as were farmers and grower associations. They labeled it a “job killer,” insisting there is no clear plan to achieve the goals and that the rapid transition to a carbon-free economy would cause many workers to lose their jobs. Instead, the groups are advocating for more market-based approaches that trade credits and capture and store carbon while still allowing continued use of fossil fuels. 

WHY IT MATTERS

California has long been a global leader in tackling climate change, enacting bold policies to reduce its carbon footprint. Though the state is responsible for less than 1% of greenhouse gases emitted globally, it has the fifth largest economy and helps drive global policy changes. California enacted AB 32 in 2006, which required the state to set strict emission limits, including a target that greenhouse gas emission levels must reach 1990 levels by 2020. The state achieved that target four years early, but it’s not on pace to meet its current 2030 goal of a 40% cut — much less a larger one.

GOVERNOR’S CALL ✅

Newsom signed this and other climate bills on Sept. 16. “This month has been a wake-up call for all of us that later is too late to act on climate change. California isn’t waiting any more,” he said in a statement. “Together with the Legislature, California is taking the most aggressive action on climate our nation has ever seen. We’re cleaning the air we breathe, holding the big polluters accountable, and ushering in a new era for clean energy.”