The Biggest Climate Wins of 2023
CEC's Climate Policy Associate, Farah Stack, and local climate activists advocating for electrification of new buildings at Ventura City Hall.
While it was difficult to surpass 2022’s unprecedented climate wins, the successes we saw this year in California are keeping the winds at our backs, maintaining our momentum toward rapid and equitable climate solutions.
Two of the most significant bills to pass are SB (Senate Bill) 253 and SB 261–first in the nation corporate climate disclosure bills–that require large corporations operating in the state to disclose both their carbon footprints and their climate-related financial risks starting in 2026.
SB 253, the Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act, uses California’s economic clout and market force to require 5,400 of the state’s largest public and private companies with over $1 billion in revenue to disclose their annual greenhouse gas emissions. CEC’s staff lobbied for the bill in Sacramento this spring alongside advocates organized by our partner The Climate Center during their annual Climate Policy Conference.
CEC's Director of Climate Policy, Michael Chiacos, and fellow advocates lobbied on climate bills in Sacramento while attending the California Climate Policy Summit in April.
SB 261, the Climate Risk Reporting Act, mandates corporations, financial institutions, and insurers to report on climate-related financial risks, an essential step in addressing climate change on a global scale.
Two smaller, yet critical wins for clean energy were the passing of AB (Assembly Bill) 1132, a solar energy systems permit fee program that extends existing caps on permit fees for rooftop solar systems and SB 355, the Multifamily Affordable Housing Solar Roofs Program that ensures continued funding for solar panels on low-income housing.
Also noteworthy were the passing of AB 631 and AB 1167, the former led by Santa Barbara County Assemblymember Gregg Hart. AB 631 reins in chronic environmental transgressions by increasing penalties and enforcement options and empowering state and local governments to take action against oil companies that are out of compliance. AB 1167, the Orphan Well Prevention Act, addresses the financial and environmental risks posed by idle and low-producing oil wells–many of which are located in the Central Coast region. The bill ensures that buyers of oil wells post a bond covering the full cost of plugging and safe abandonment, protecting California taxpayers and our environment.
Although SB 675, the CEC-sponsored prescribed grazing bill introduced by State Senator Monique Limón, seemed to be headed for the Governor’s desk, it was parked on the assembly floor until early next year. While there was no opposition, some last-minute amendment requests from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL Fire) arrived too late to be integrated into the bill before the legislative session closed. A silver lining–and a partial win for SB 675–is that a related bill, AB 297, passed with some elements of SB 675 incorporated, including defining prescribed grazing in statute (which makes it easier to reference in future bills and budgets), and making public outreach, education, and training on prescribed grazing an eligible activity in the Wildfire Prevention Grants Program.
These wins are instrumental since California’s climate policy often sets the pace for the nation and the world. Many of these policies are rooted in regional, grassroots actions like those taken by the Community Environmental Council’s Climate Policy team–and many of you–to advocate for and advance solutions to the climate crisis.
I invite you to become a CEC Climate Activist and be notified of opportunities to take future climate policy actions in your area. Don’t miss our first policy training on Thursday, December 7, 2023 at CEC’s new Environmental Hub (also available via Zoom - see details below) for individuals who are interested in participating in public meetings.
Let’s keep working together to enact bold policies that will bring equitable climate solutions to scale.
Take Political Action
Become a CEC Climate Activist
Help advance strong climate policy in your community. We will only contact you when there is an opportunity to act in your city or county. Actions include participating in public meetings, sending emails to elected officials, and sharing opportunities for action with your friends, family, and neighbors. Become a CEC Climate Activist.
Attend CEC’s Policy Training on Thursday, December 7, 2023
Gain insights, information, and practical tools at CEC’s first hybrid in-person/virtual policy training. Be empowered with the knowledge and skills needed to actively participate in local government meetings–and effectively advocate for strong climate policies and community-led solutions. More details will be shared soon. In the meantime, read our bilingual guide on how to participate in a public meeting.
Join the Next CEC Climate Stewards Cohort - Coming January 31, 2024
Graduates of the Community Environmental Council's Climate Stewards nine-week certification program are equipped to play an active role in their community to advance rapid and equitable solutions to the climate crisis–and make a positive impact throughout the Central Coast. Sign up to receive updates on the next cohort.