California, the most populated state in the United States and third largest in land size (423,970 km2), is home to over 39.5 million people (as of 2017). Around 95% of the population live in urban areas (2010 census), and population growth continues to be strongest in the most densely populated counties of the state. The effects of climate change are already being felt in California’s cities, and these effects will disproportionately impact the state’s most vulnerable populations.
In 2017 alone California was subject to record-breaking wildfires and mudslides, disasters that were exacerbated by extreme weather conditions. Climate change science indicates that we will see more extreme weather and disasters in the future, and California is assisting its cities and counties in preparing for the impacts of climate change.
Reducing carbon dioxide emissions is a central focus for California. Beyond meeting our climate change goals, the State is also tackling emissions to improve air quality in our cities. Eight of the ten most polluted cities in the USA, in terms of ozone and particle pollution, are located in California, at our population centers (American Lung Association Report 2018). Tackling the challenge of reducing carbon dioxide emissions provides benefits for human health by also reducing emission of particulate matter and ozone. Importantly, California, the fifth-largest economy in the world, is advancing its climate goals while also growing its economy faster than the rest of the United States. Since 2009, the state's gross domestic product has grown by approximately 7% - as the amount of carbon pollution has decreased. As of May 2014, 23% of California's electricity was produced is from renewable sources, and by 2030, California will generate half of its electricity from renewable sources.
The World Bank GPSC and California have partnered in an MOU to promote sustainable, low-carbon planning and development, emissions reductions, and long term environmental sustainability throughout nations that work with the World Bank. California serves as a knowledge partner, to share best practices and examples of climate change mitigation and adaptation, as well as overall sustainability efforts.
California is facing many challenges from climate change impacts around the state, and the government has taken action to fight climate change and prepare for its impacts. These statewide initiatives are summarized in the compendium.
State requirements encourage California’s communities to address climate change. For instance, every region in the state is required to create a sustainable community strategy (SCS), to demonstrate how they will reach their GHG reduction targets (i.e., background and information from the San Francisco Bay Area). Additionally, climate considerations are now required in planning activities that are legally required for every city and county in the State. State resources, including tools such as CoolCalifornia.org, Cal-Adapt, and the Adaptation Clearinghouse, (among many others), provide data, templates, and case studies for California cities. State agencies offer assistance to communities as well, and administer programs and grants to assist local governments engaging in climate work.
California cities are working to build support, develop policies, and meet their goals. 115 California cities now have climate action plans. Some are also engaging regionally on climate adaptation, and working collaboratively to identify key knowledge gaps, needs, and leverage findings.
California is leading in bringing sub-national states and regions into the fight against climate change. California is a founding partner of the Under2 MOU, with Baden-Württemberg, which aims to bring together states and regions willing to make a number of key commitments toward emissions reduction. The Under2 MOU is a commitment by sub-national governments to reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions towards net-zero by 2050. Currently, the Under2 regions comprise 187 jurisdictions, from 38 countries and 6 continents, representing 1.2 billion people and $28.8 trillion GDP (or 39% of the global economy).
To move conversations forward, and to enable commitments and action, by sub-national actors, California is hosting the Global Climate Action Summit in September 2018 in San Francisco. This event will demonstrate the successes of states and other sub-national entities in fighting climate change.
California has many other partnerships as well. For a summary, please see information on this page.
