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
Climate Commitment Act passes Senate
Thanks to the leadership of Senators Reuven Carlyle, Rebecca Saldaña, Steve Hobbs, and others, SB 5126 -- the Climate Commitment Act -- passed in the Washington State Senate this evening. Senator Carlyle said, “I truly believe we are on the right...
Climate Commitment Act Moves to Senate Floor
Yesterday, the Senate Rules Committee pulled SB 5126, the Climate Commitment Act, to the floor of the Washington State Senate. That means soon, the Senate can take a big step toward putting Washington on a path to meeting our carbon reduction goals...
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As the Climate Commitment Act (SB 5126) moves to a vote in the Washington State Senate, it has support from businesses, labor, environmentalists and justice groups across the state. Why? Because it’s good for our economy AND it’s good for our...
The Grand Bargain is a Big Deal
Leaders in Olympia recognize that the most significant issues of our time are interconnected: the climate crisis, health inequities, economic and infrastructure troubles. Piecemeal solutions to isolated problems won’t meet the magnitude of the...
How many jobs?
When sponsors of the Climate Commitment Act (CCA) talk about “climate, jobs and justice”, just how many jobs are they talking about? And what kind of jobs would those be? For guidance, let’s look at modeling based on the Building Back Better...
The Climate Commitment Act Delivers jobs and reduces pollution
The Climate Commitment Act (CCA) is a Cap & Invest program that sets a decreasing limit on carbon from large emitters and invests in pollution reduction and economic resilience to sustain and create local jobs.Download | Full Screen...
Grand Bargain gains support
The growing movement to address our climate crisis while addressing our transportation infrastructure has gained another important business ally. In Sunday’s Seattle Times, Amazon’s vice president of Global Real Estate and Facilities John...
Business Roundtable supports climate action
What’s driving the growing consensus among businesses in Washington for putting a price on carbon? Business leaders recognize the economic benefits of energy efficiency, infrastructure investment, and regulatory certainty. And they understand the...
Momentum is growing for climate action
A diverse group of business leaders, social justice advocates, environmentalists, labor and philanthropists have joined together to call on the state Senate Ways and Means Committee to pass the Climate Commitment Act. That vote is scheduled for...
Press Release: Diverse Coalition Urging Passage Of First Ever Climate Legislation
(Seattle, WA) March 15, 2021 via PR Newswire – A diverse group of business leaders, social justice advocates, environmentalists, labor and philanthropists are joining together to call on the Washington State Legislature to pass the Climate...
“Strike deal for infrastructure, environment and jobs”
The Seattle Times editorial board urges state lawmakers to “strike deal for infrastructure, environment and jobs”, saying: “Difficult times such as these can present extraordinary opportunities. With vision and creativity, Washington lawmakers can...
SB 5126 – Senate Ways and Means Committee Support Letter
On February 25, the Senate Environment, Energy and Technology Committee passed the cap & invest Climate Commitment Act (CCA) by a vote of 7 to 3. It is still the only carbon pricing bill that has passed a committee this session, which has...
Build Back Black
With permission from the Washington Build-Back Black Alliance, we share this letter from Paula F. Sardinas to Senator Reuven Carlyle, expressing WBBBA support for the Climate Commitment Act: Subject: *URGENT* | #WBBBA Supports SB/5126...
Businesses support climate action
Why do so many businesses, large and small, support climate action? To quote the 47 major companies that signed a recent C2ES statement, “Leveraging American investment and innovation toward the technologies of tomorrow will create jobs, drive...
Cap & Invest Works – Here’s Proof
Cap & Invest jurisdictions outperform on both environmental & economic outcomes.Overwhelming data shows that we don’t have to choose between the environment and the economy. Below, wespotlight two US programs where Cap & Invest has done...
Has Cap & Invest Worked Elsewhere?
Yes! Cap & Invest is working in a variety of jurisdictions. In fact it’s because Cap & Invest works so well that it’s gaining traction globally. Washington will be following a proven path, learning from and improving upon the experience of...
Carbon pricing is here to stay
Globally, there is strong consensus that carbon pricing works, and is central to turning the tide on climate change. Even China has put a price on carbon emissions. In the EU, results are significant: capped emissions from stationary sources...
Commitment to Environmental Justice
For far too long far too many in our state have suffered a disproportionate share of environmental harm. This is not new news. We can see it mapped. And now, with the Climate Commitment Act (CCA, SSB 5126) we can do something about it. Currently...
Momentum Builds as Cap & Invest Clears Key Senate Committee
Thanks to Senators Carlyle, Hobbs, Das, Liias, Nguyen, Stanford and Wellman for their leadership in bringing historic progress on climate policy to Olympia! This morning, the Senate Environment, Energy and Technology Committee passed the cap &...
“Probably the largest infrastructure and environmental package that the state has ever seen.”
At Friday’s legislative work session, State Senate Transportation Committee Chair, Senator Steve Hobbs described the Climate Commitment Act (CCA) -- together with the Forward Washington transportation package that would be funded by the CCA -- as...