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
3 things to know about the CCA
Because today marks a momentous milestone on Washington’s course to a clean economy, you’ll read and hear a lot about the first Climate Commitment Act (CCA) auction of emission allowances. But because the CCA is a carefully-crafted yet complex...
Zero-emission trucks are a smart climate investment
Clean & Prosperous Washington urges the Washington State Legislature to pass a biennial budget that makes smart, high-impact investments in programs and projects that build a clean, competitive economy. Which projects offer the greatest climate...
How would you like to drive for $1.19/gallon?
We haven’t seen $1.19/gallon in Washington state since 1999. But thanks to investments in EV infrastructure and incentives, driving for the equivalent of $1.19/gallon is a reality for thousands of Washington drivers and businesses, made possible in...
Clean & Prosperous Washington joins dozens of groups requesting Medium and Heavy-Duty Zero Emission Vehicles incentives
This legislative session presents a precedent-setting opportunity: to invest revenue from the Climate Commitment Act in ways that will support Washington State in achieving its greenhouse gas emission reduction requirements, improve public health,...
Dairy digesters are a smart climate investment
Clean & Prosperous Washington is partnering with the Washington State Dairy Federation in support of SB 5551 / HB 1574, and asking the legislature to make an investment of $40 million in Climate Commitment Act funds to reduce methane at...
Siting and Permitting
“Decarbonizing the economy will require an unprecedented amount of new energy investment” writes Alec Stapp in The Atlantic: “Fossil-fuel infrastructure built over centuries needs to be replaced within the next few decades by clean-energy...
The Story of Washington’s Climate Commitment Act
Has anyone asked you to explain the Cap-and-Invest Climate Commitment Act (CCA)? Having helped pass the CCA, we at Clean & Prosperous Washington have read (and written) a library full of articles about the CCA. But few compare to the clarity of...
Press Release: GROUP CALLS FOR INCREASED FUNDING TO DECARBONIZE TRANSPORTATION
(Seattle, WA) April 14, 2022 – The Clean & Prosperous Institute Thursday, announced Kenworth Truck Company as the winner of the 1st Annual David and Patricia Giuliani Clean Energy Entrepreneur Award, a recognition for meaningful advances in...
Put the pedal to the metal
Is your business ready to step on the gas, er, the accelerator, to decarbonize your fleet in 2023? The upcoming Fleet Decarbonization Accelerator offered by the new Breaking Barriers Collaborative is a hands-on, cohort-based program that combines...
Who was Everett Rogers?
And what can he teach us about accelerating the adoption of electric vehicles? Students in business schools learn about Everett Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovation theory. They learn about “crossing the chasm” between the Early Adopters and the Early...
The future is precious
The future of Washington state is bouncing on the seats, playing “jello”, and raising decibel levels inside school buses every day. And soon, more of them will be doing that inside clean, electric school buses thanks to funding from the...
Chickens and eggs
Which came first, the chicken or the egg? Philosophers (and farmers?) have pondered this question for many years. Now that question is applied to EVs and charging stations. The clean energy future imagines free-range EVs powered by a reliable...
Webinar recording: Navigating the Inflation Reduction Act
Earlier this week we hosted the webinar “Navigating the Inflation Reduction Act”. Featured speakers were Washington State Senator Christine Rolfes, Fortescue Future Industries Vice President Hilary Moffett, and Sam Ricketts from Evergreen Action....
Hear Senator Rolfes on “Navigating the Inflation Reduction Act” this Wednesday
Do you want to maximize opportunities offered by the Inflation Reduction Act? Join us this Wednesday at 12:00pm for our latest webinar, “Navigating the Inflation Reduction Act” featuring Washington State Senator Christine Rolfes, Fortescue Future...
Get an insider’s view of the Inflation Reduction Act
Join us Wednesday for our webinar, “Navigating the Inflation Reduction Act”. Featured speakers include Washington State Senator Christine Rolfes, Fortescue Future Industries Vice President Hilary Moffett, and Sam Ricketts from Evergreen Action....
Don’t miss our “Navigating the Inflation Reduction Act” webinar
Got FOMO*? Don’t miss out on the economic growth that the coming energy transition (and the IRA) will bring about. From the newsletter, The Weekly Planet (by The Atlantic): Late last month, analysts at the investment bank Credit Suisse published a...
It’s almost game time!
With a walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning, the Seattle Mariners head to the playoffs for the first time in 21 years. GO M’s! And just as the Mariners have hit a milestone, Washington state reached a major climate action milestone...
Register today for “Navigating the Inflation Reduction Act” webinar
In this GreenBiz piece about the Inflation Reduction Act, Terry F. Yosie writes: “As documented by economist Mariana Mazzucato ("The Entrepreneurial State") and others, the United States has practiced industrial policy on a grand scale throughout...
Webinar: Navigating the Inflation Reduction Act
$369,000,000,000. And that’s just the Inflation Reduction Act. Clean energy funds are also available from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Act and many other federal and state programs. How can Washington businesses and communities leverage...
Cap-and-Invest rules finalized
Washington state reached a major climate action milestone today as the Department of Ecology announced it has finalized Cap-and-Invest regulations: Washington finalizes historic cap-and-invest plan to slash carbon pollution This program will go...