California climate governance: How to move forward
Event Information
Panelists:
Ann Carlson, Shirley Shapiro Professor of Environmental Law at UCLA, and Faculty Director of the Emmett Institute on Climate Change and the Environment
Danny Cullenward, Senior Fellow at UPenn Kleinman Center for Energy Policy, Vice Chair of CA Independent Emissions Market Advisory Committee
Nuin-Tara Key, Chief Operating Officer at California Forward
Sam Trachtman, Senior Researcher, Berkeley Economy & Society Initiative (Moderator)
In many ways, California climate governance is a success story. State policies have driven strong deployment of solar and batteries, and California launched the nation’s first carbon cap-and-trade program in 2013. Broadly, the state has shown that economic growth with declining emissions is possible.
But California also faces major challenges. State policies drive up energy costs, and the environmental benefits of some — such as the Low Carbon Fuel Standard — have been called into question. Meanwhile, California is not on track to meet its 2030 emissions targets, and achieving net-zero by 2045 will require overcoming significant infrastructure hurdles, now further complicated by federal hostility.
This panel will critically examine California’s approach to climate governance and consider strategies for continued progress. Does the state need more of the same, minor tweaks, or major overhauls? Please join us for a candid discussion about current obstacles and potential ways forward.