AB 1279 aligns state emissions reduction goals with latest science to keep California accountable for action within the timeline needed to prevent a climate catastrophe.

CONTACT: Veda Banerjee, 415-999-8332, veda@envirovoters.org

SACRAMENTO, CA – Mary Creasman, CEO of California Environmental Voters (EnviroVoters), released the following statement in response to passage of AB 1279 from the California State Legislature. The bill is a reintroduction of legislation that did not pass last year. It commits California to achieve carbon neutrality as soon as possible but no later than 2045. Importantly, this goal is paired with a commitment to achieve 85% greenhouse gas reductions below the 1990 level by 2045.

“AB 1279 passed because of brave and persistent leadership from climate champions in California who refused to take no for an answer. As we fought for in our Climate Courage Campaign, this bill makes our climate goals more credible by rooting them in the latest science — a-make-or-break threshold to ensure our actions actually save the California we love for our kids. Scientists say we will reach a point of no return by the end of this decade, which makes bigger and bolder action essential to our success.

“We are grateful to Assemblymembers Al Muratsuchi and Cristina Garcia for pushing this bill across the finish line. By passing it, California is upping its commitment to climate action. Bold goals are important but our work is just beginning to make sure these goals mean more than words on paper. We must dig in, do the work, and ensure that how we achieve these goals does not create or perpetuate harm on communities who bear the brunt of pollution and the climate crisis. This requires a sustained commitment to investing in our infrastructure and jobs needed to stimulate the growth of a green economy without emissions.”

###

California Environmental Voters (formerly the California League of Conservation Voters) believes the climate crisis is here and this moment requires transformative change. California has the policy solutions to stop climate change but lacks the political will to do it at the rate and scale that’s necessary. EnviroVoters exists to build the political power to solve the climate crisis, advance justice, and create a roadmap for global action. We organize voters, elect and train candidates, and hold lawmakers accountable for bold policy change. We won’t stop until we have resilient, healthy, thriving communities, and a democracy and economy that is just and sustainable for all. Join us at www.envirovoters.org and on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. See more press releases.

Shopping Basket

The month of March is Public Lands Month, and we’ve got some big goals. We’re pushing for 5 national monument designations while fighting for clean water, Indigenous land protection, ecosystem conservation, and increasing access to nature. 

But we need your help to make these campaigns a success →