Climate and environmental policy experts have released a roadmap for California’s next governor, outlining five cross-cutting recommendations aimed at guiding the state through an era of intensifying climate challenges and political pressure. The document, developed by the Center for Law, Energy and the Environment (CLEE) over the past year, comes as California faces severe impacts from climate change and increasing hostility from the federal government.
Defending State Authority
The report notes that the state is already experiencing severe climate impacts, which are expected to worsen. Alongside these environmental pressures, the document highlights tensions over affordability, insurance access, and economic concerns. The threat of federal hostility toward state authority, clean energy, and environmental protection adds another layer of complexity to governance.
Developing a robust strategy requires strong leadership and the willingness to make difficult trade-offs. The authors argue that maintaining California’s environmental leadership is not only possible but necessary to protect people, natural resources, and the economy. The roadmap suggests that the state’s ability to overcome these obstacles depends on a commitment to defending its authority while advancing climate goals.
Coordinating State Agencies
One of the primary recommendations involves establishing collaborative action teams. The report argues that many of the most pressing climate and energy challenges require coordinated action across multiple state agencies, and sometimes local and federal governments. These teams, led by the Governor’s Office, are intended to tackle issues such as electricity affordability and reducing transportation emissions.
By empowering these collaborative teams, the state can address complex problems more rapidly. This approach aims to break down government silos and create a more unified effort in tackling the state’s environmental hurdles. The framework suggests that centralized coordination is essential for scaling solutions and delivering on shared commitments to emission reductions.
Financing the Energy Transition
Transitioning to a cleaner energy system requires significant investment. To maximize limited resources, the report advises launching a full state climate financing strategy. This strategy would include expanded use of revolving loans and first-loss positions, as well as insurance innovations.
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Using a mix of grants, loans, and financial tools can help attract private sector investment in resilience projects. By creating a clear vision for climate finance, the state aims to accelerate the energy transition while ensuring that infrastructure investments are sustainable and widely distributed.
Focus on Environmental Justice
The roadmap also emphasizes the need to protect communities and promote environmental justice. Equity has been a cornerstone of California’s climate policy for decades, and the report calls for the next governor to extend this legacy. Specific areas of focus include spearheading an energy transition plan for workers and communities.
Accelerating transportation electrification is another key recommendation. The document suggests using innovative community benefits tools to deliver wealth-building opportunities in areas that have historically borne the brunt of environmental harm. By prioritizing these communities, the state aims to ensure that the benefits of climate action are shared broadly.
Maintaining and expanding domestic and international partnerships, especially on methane emission reductions, transportation decarbonization, and other emerging topics will be critical. Building on these cross-cutting recommendations, the remainder of the report shares advice on breaking down government silos, maintaining California leadership, and recommendations in eight specific sectors.
Continuing Leadership
The document concludes by asserting that California’s next governor has a unique opportunity to demonstrate that environmental goals and economic growth can coexist. By following the outlined recommendations, the state can continue to set the standard for environmental leadership in the face of mounting challenges, ultimately protecting the State’s people, natural resources, infrastructure, and economy.