Gov. Jerry Brown on Wednesday issued an executive order calling for the state to cut back on carbon emissions to 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030, exceeding cuts proposed in other states and matching the carbon cuts set by the European Union.
“With this order, California sets a very high bar for itself and other states and nations, but it’s one that must be reached, for this generation and generations to come,” Brown said in a statement.
Brown made the remarks at a downtown Los Angeles event that was part of the Navigating the American Carbon World 2015 conference, sponsored by L.A.’s Climate Action Reserve.
Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti pledged his support for Brown’s efforts.
“Addressing climate change is critical for our environment and economy, so I want to applaud Governor Jerry Brown for extending our state’s global leadership as we are setting new targets here in Los Angeles,” Garcetti said in a statement.
Prior statewide goals were set in 2005 by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger. Those goals called for reducing carbon emissions to 1990 levels by 2020 and to 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050. Brown said the state is on track to meeting those goals.
Mary Leslie, president of the Los Angeles Business Council, said the governor’s actions will be beneficial to local businesses because of their expertise in environmentally friendly design and development.
“By driving standards for green building and in-basin solar energy over the past decade, our businesses have a competitive advantage in a global marketplace that values their expertise in sustainable business practices,” Leslie said. “The governor’s executive order reaffirms the commitment made by Los Angeles businesses, and their success in demonstrating not just compliance, but the ability to convert these guidelines into job creation and business development.”
Government leaders from around the world are scheduled at the end of this year to meet to discuss ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions during the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris.
