The report also finds the state’s climate policies have allowed for considerable economic growth stating that between 2006 and 2015 the state’s GDP has increased by nearly $5000 per person. That is almost twice the growth experienced by the U.S as a whole.
While there has been progress in the decline of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) the rate of that decline appears to be slowing. California’s total GHG emissions fell only slightly in 2015, down 0.34% from 2014. This compares to a 0.73% reduction in the previous year.
This year’s report finds California’s record is especially impressive when it comes to cutting emissions and energy use per dollar of GDP. The state has become the most energy-productive major economy in the world, moving up three spots from 2013 to 2014 while reducing its carbon intensity by 4.5%.
However the Index shows a recent spike in transportation emissions. In 2015, total transportation-related GHG emissions rose by 2.7%, largely due to an increase of 3.1 percent in emissions from on-road vehicles like cars, trucks and buses. Contributing factors include a 2.8% increase in commute times between 2014 and 2015 and a 4.8% decrease in public transportation trips.
“The data in this year’s Index shows that developing cleaner transportation options presents both a great challenge and a great opportunity for the state moving forward,” said F. Noel Perry, businessman and founder of Next 10. “Finding a way to reduce emissions by 5% each year in the coming decade will require innovation. Fortunately, that’s something California has proven it knows how to do.”
For information: Next 10
