In addition to national initiatives, the state of California has been implementing many emission reduction programs in recent years. The state’s most comprehensive plan, the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (Assembly Bill 32 - Núñez), caps California’s greenhouse gas emissions at 1990 levels by 2020. How does this plan impact homes? According to the California Energy Commission, in order to achieve the desired greenhouse emissions level, all new homes will have to be zero net energy.
Additionally, the state has established a goal of reducing emissions to 80 percent below 1990 emission levels in 2050. Like the national policy, the state hopes to achieve these goals through the implementation of numerous green initiatives such as the Green Building Initiative, as well as multiple conservation programs, like Flex Your Power.
| Did You Know?: California produces roughly 1.4 percent of the world’s and 6.2 percent of the U.S.’ total greenhouse gases. |