Climate Commitment Act
History
History
The Climate Commitment Act stands as a remarkable example of effective state-level policy aimed at mitigating climate pollution and fostering a fair and sustainable future.
Back in 2021, Washington State took a pioneering step by passing the Climate Commitment Act (CCA), a groundbreaking cap-and-invest legislation. This forward-looking law places a gradual limit on climate-warming emissions and allocates resources to implement solutions that promote equity, prosperity, and resilience across the state. Working hand-in-hand with other robust state policies, the CCA is projected to achieve an impressive 95% reduction in emissions by 2050. Moreover, it fosters stronger consultations with tribal nations, enhances air quality and environmental justice, bolsters climate-focused initiatives, and bolsters the state’s economy.
The journey toward passing the CCA holds valuable insights that can be adapted by other states seeking to address climate change. Prior to this achievement, numerous attempts to implement carbon pricing had faltered over the course of more than a decade. However, the CCA triumphed with the collective backing of a diverse coalition of stakeholders, representing a broad spectrum of interests within the state. This inclusive collaboration ensured that the law not only met science-based emission reduction targets but also brought about positive co-benefits for Washington’s environment, businesses, and marginalized communities.
Bipartisan Roots & State Leadership
Cap-and-Trade was first deployed by the George H. W. Bush administration to successfully – and efficiently – combat acid rain.
Charles Tasnadi / AP Images
Could it work as well on the climate crisis?
California was the first state to put Cap-and-Trade to work on greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction. Results there show targets achieved ahead of schedule, with a healthy economy.
Now, just as we in Washington state followed California’s lead but improved upon their program, we anticipate other states will follow our lead. Already, the state of New York is beginning the process of implementing a similar Cap-and-Invest system. California is considering improvements to their system by referencing Washington’s CCA.
Honored to stand w/ @JerryBrownGov he signs extension of cap & trade where we launched the program 11 years ago - a great bipartisan bill. pic.twitter.com/Xf91TbZXjX
— Arnold (@Schwarzenegger) July 25, 2017
Hear from American Carbon Registry’s Mary Grady
Register now for our Friday January 7th webinar, with an exciting preview of 2022 activity in Olympia, as well as an insider’s review of recent proceedings in Glasgow -- featuring Washington State Senator Reuven Carlyle and Mary Grady, Executive...
Webinar: Climate Priorities 2022
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Twenty-twenty-win; Twenty-twenty-too?
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Webinar recording now available: A Courageous Conversation about Environmental Justice
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New EPA report confirms: “First and worst”
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Webinar recording now available: Roadmap to Cap & Invest Implementation
Thank you to the more than 300 of you who signed up for yesterday’s webinar - Roadmap to Cap & Invest Implementation - on the Climate Commitment Act (CCA.) We hope you found it as informative as we did and that it began to answer the many...
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As the Climate Commitment Act (CCA) moves to implementation, many Washingtonians have questions about what it does and how it works. Policy experts from our research team at the Low Carbon Prosperity Institute (LCPI) along with the Environmental...
Good news from California
When crafting Washington’s best-in-the-nation Climate Commitment Act (CCA), leaders in Olympia looked south to Sacramento to learn from the nation’s first cap-and-invest policy. They asked, “What’s working?” and “How can we improve upon that?” So...
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Webinar: Roadmap to Cap & Invest Implementation
Now that the Climate Commitment Act has passed, how will the state of Washington implement this historic climate change policy? Please join Clean & Prosperous Washington for a discussion with the Department of Ecology and Office of Governor Jay...
What can we do?
You’ve seen the headlines: “A code red for humanity” “IPCC’s verdict on climate crimes of humanity: guilty as hell” “A Hotter Future Is Certain, Climate Panel Warns. But How Hot Is Up to Us.” You’ve heard the reactions: “Sobering.” “Jaw-dropping.”...
Let’s sweeten our suite of carbon policies
With a suite of recently enacted clean-economy measures, Washington is leading the way to a healthier future: The Climate Commitment Act, the Clean Fuels Standard, the Healthy Homes & Clean Buildings Act, the Clean Energy Transformation Act,...
Press Release: HISTORIC CLIMATE LEGISLATION BECOMES LAW
(Seattle, WA) July 26, 2021 – This past weekend, the Climate Commitment Act (CCA), SB 5126, officially became law—positioning Washington state as a national climate leader with one of the most progressive climate laws paving the way to net zero...
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