The California Global Warning Solutions Act of 2006 (AB32) is the nation’s leading regulatory and market based approach to reducing greenhouse gases. The statute gives authority to the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to monitor and coordinate efforts to reduce greenhouse gases. The CARB must establish a emissions cap for 2020 and develop mandatory reporting rules. It must develop a plan of action and adopt regulations to achieve the maximum technologically feasible and cost-effective emissions reductions. The CARB also must convene an environmental justice advisory committee and technology advancement advisory committee to advise the Board. AB32 also requires early action measures to be implemented before January 1, 2010. Transportation, energy generation, and cement manufacturing are some of the sectors that will be directly affected by this new legislation.
Currently, the CARB has developed the steps that different entities are required to take in order to comply with AB32. Our AB32 consulting services include an examination of specific requirements for your organization, as well as an assessment of how your organization can benefit from the emission trading schemes that developed under AB32. Sometimes, the easiest way to reduce the overall footprint of your organization is to examine and reduce your organization’s indirect, or Scope 3 emissions. We have a special service offering that focuses specifically on Scope 3 emissions, where we examine the indirect GHG emissions of your organization, and suggest and implement reduction policies.
Recently, CARB has completed an economic study of impacts of AB32 on small businesses and found no adverse effects of AB32 implementation. In fact, due to a reduction in fuel costs and creation of new jobs, the overall impact of AB32 implementation is projected to be positive for California consumers and small businesses.
