California Set to Achieve Carbon Neutrality By 2045
Accomplishing carbon neutrality is a critical yet challenging undertaking. Carbon reductions will be dependent on extensive energy efficiency across all sectors, switching to electric cars, power sector decarbonization, etc., to operate on a carbon-free power supply.
Global carbon emissions should reach net zero towards the middle of the century to achieve the 1.5°C global warming objective outlined in the Paris Agreement. An earlier timeline for developed countries and later for developing countries.
Many nations and states have pledged and are pledging to compensate for their emissions to tackle the continuously worsening problem of climate change, striving to achieve net-zero emissions by a specific date, and, California is among the thrivers to move toward carbon neutrality.
In accordance with legislation that Governor Gavin Newsom signed earlier this year, California's air regulators on 15 December 2022, authorized an ambitious plan for the state to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045. The proposal was approved by the California Air Resources Board and aims to transition the state toward renewable energy from fossil fuels. The plan lays out a general roadmap for how California can accomplish its objectives, not obligating the state to take any specific steps. Following are the highlights of the plan.
Carbon Sequestration
Carbon capture is a vital component of climate change mitigation measures. The state aims to capture and store 100 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent in the ground by 2045.
Renewable resources for power supply
Shifting from fossil fuels and utilizing a greater percentage of renewable resources for energy is crucial to the project's execution. The state is mandated to reduce its consumption of liquid petroleum fuel by 94% while increasing four times its solar and wind energy production by 2045. Conversely, powering all new homes and businesses with electric appliances before the next ten years is part of the mission. The state is also on a path to drastically reduce dependency on oil and gas while figuring out how to prevent blackouts when extreme heat waves force Californians to keep their homes cool with artificial cooling.
Cleaner agriculture industry
The agriculture industry will cut down fossil fuel usage and achieve a 66% reduction of methane emissions by 2045, especially livestock, as cattle are a significant source for releasing this dangerous, planet-warming gas.
Green transportation
The state has previously approved a policy to stop the sale of new gasoline-powered cars beginning in 2035. The renewed draft includes bringing to market all medium-duty cars sold as zero-emission vehicles by 2040, and 20% of the demand for aviation fuel from electric or hydrogen sources by 2045. The state is revving towards reducing the usage of gas-powered automobiles and trucks to cut greenhouse gas emissions and minimize the adverse effects on public health from the chemicals discharged from automobiles.
