California’s 2022 Scoping Plan Update: A Framework for Sustainable Development

Executive Summary: Aligning Climate Action with Global Goals

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has released an updated Scoping Plan outlining a comprehensive strategy to achieve carbon neutrality by 2045. This report details the plan’s key objectives and targets, framed within the context of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The plan provides a detailed pathway for economic transformation, emissions reduction, and public health improvement, positioning California as a leader in sustainable development.

Advancing Climate Action and Environmental Protection (SDG 13, SDG 15)

The Scoping Plan establishes aggressive targets to mitigate climate change and protect terrestrial ecosystems, directly addressing SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

• Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction: The plan mandates an 85% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2045. An interim goal aims for a 48% reduction below 1990 levels by 2030, exceeding the previous statutory mandate.
• Carbon Neutrality: The primary objective is to achieve economy-wide carbon neutrality by 2045.
• Carbon Removal: To support neutrality, the plan sets targets for carbon capture and sequestration of 20 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent (MMTCO2e) by 2030 and 100 MMTCO2e by 2045.
• Nature-Based Solutions: In alignment with SDG 15, the strategy includes goals for conserving natural and working lands to enhance carbon sequestration and reduce wildfire risk.

Fostering Good Health, Sustainable Communities, and Responsible Consumption (SDG 3, SDG 11, SDG 12)

A significant focus of the plan is on improving quality of life through initiatives that support SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production).

1. Public Health Improvement: The plan projects a 71% reduction in air pollution, which is estimated to save Californians $200 billion in pollution-related health costs.
2. Reduced Fossil Fuel Consumption: To promote responsible consumption patterns, the plan aims to decrease oil usage by 94% and overall fossil fuel demand by 86%.
3. Sustainable Infrastructure: Key targets for sustainable communities include:
   • Constructing 3 million climate-friendly homes by 2030 and 7 million by 2035.
   • Deploying 6 million heat pumps by 2030.
   • Reducing light-duty vehicle miles traveled (VMT) per capita by 25% below 1990 levels by 2030.

Driving Economic Growth and Clean Energy Innovation (SDG 7, SDG 8, SDG 9)

The plan is designed to stimulate economic development and technological innovation, contributing to SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure).

• Job Creation: The transition is projected to create 4 million new jobs, fostering decent work and economic growth.
• Clean Energy Transition: In support of SDG 7, the plan calls for building out a 100% clean energy grid, including a goal to establish at least 20 GW of offshore wind capacity by 2045.
• Innovation in Industry: The plan promotes innovation in key sectors, such as aviation, by targeting 20% non-combustion fuel sources by 2045, with the remainder met by sustainable aviation fuel.

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  The article directly connects California’s climate plan to public health improvements. It states the plan would result in “Cutting air pollution by 71%” and “Saving Californians $200 billion in health costs due to pollution.” This focus on reducing pollution-related health issues aligns with SDG 3.

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

  The core of the article is about transitioning to clean energy. It mentions goals to “accelerate the transition to clean energy,” build out a “100% clean energy grid,” and set new targets for renewable energy, such as building “At least 20 GW offshore wind capacity built by 2045.” This directly addresses the goal of ensuring access to clean and affordable energy.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  The economic impact of the climate plan is highlighted, with a specific promise that it would “create 4 million new jobs.” This commitment to job creation as part of a green transition connects the plan to the goal of promoting sustained, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth and decent work for all.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The article outlines several initiatives aimed at making communities more sustainable. These include goals for “3 million climate-friendly homes by 2030 and 7 million by 2035,” deploying “6 million heat pumps by 2030,” and reducing transportation emissions through a “Light-duty vehicle miles traveled (VMT) target of 25% per capita below 1990 levels by 2030.”

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  This is the central theme of the article. The entire “Scoping Plan” is a detailed strategy for climate action. Key goals include to “slash greenhouse gas emissions by 85%,” achieve “carbon neutrality by 2045,” and implement “Carbon removal/capture targets.” The plan itself is a comprehensive roadmap to combat climate change and its impacts.

• SDG 15: Life on Land

  The article mentions the importance of “nature-based climate solutions” and “smart land management.” Specific goals cited include the proposal to “conserve 30% of the California’s natural and working lands by 2030” and “urgently increase tree canopy by 10% above current levels,” which are actions aimed at protecting and restoring terrestrial ecosystems.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

  Target 3.9: By 2030, substantially reduce the number of deaths and illnesses from hazardous chemicals and air, water and soil pollution and contamination. The article’s goal to cut “air pollution by 71%” and save “$200 billion in health costs due to pollution” directly contributes to this target.

• SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

  Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. The plan’s ambition to build a “100% clean energy grid” and install “20 GW offshore wind capacity” is a direct action towards this target.

• SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

  Target 8.5: By 2030, achieve full and productive employment and decent work for all women and men, including for young people and persons with disabilities, and equal pay for work of equal value. The plan’s projection to “create 4 million new jobs” aligns with the goal of promoting employment.

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  Target 11.1: By 2030, ensure access for all to adequate, safe and affordable housing and basic services and upgrade slums. The goal to create “3 million climate-friendly homes by 2030” and deploy “6 million heat pumps” contributes to improving housing sustainability and services.

  Target 11.2: By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all. The target to reduce “Light-duty vehicle miles traveled (VMT) … 25% per capita below 1990 levels by 2030” is a measure to create more sustainable transportation patterns.

• SDG 13: Climate Action

  Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning. The entire Scoping Plan described in the article is a comprehensive integration of climate change measures into state-level policy and planning, aiming for “carbon neutrality by 2045.”

• SDG 15: Life on Land

  Target 15.2: By 2020, promote the implementation of sustainable management of all types of forests, halt deforestation, restore degraded forests and substantially increase afforestation and reforestation globally. The goals to “conserve 30% of the California’s natural and working lands by 2030” and “increase tree canopy by 10%” are direct contributions to this target.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

Yes, the article provides several specific, quantifiable indicators that can be used to measure progress:

• Indicators for Health and Well-being (SDG 3)

  • Percentage reduction in air pollution (Indicator: “Cutting air pollution by 71%”).
  • Monetary savings from reduced health costs (Indicator: “Saving Californians $200 billion in health costs”).

• Indicators for Clean Energy (SDG 7)

  • Installed capacity of renewable energy (Indicator: “At least 20 GW offshore wind capacity built by 2045”).
  • Reduction in fossil fuel consumption (Indicator: “94% drop in demand for oil”).
  • Deployment of energy-efficient technology (Indicator: “6 million heat pumps deployed by 2030”).

• Indicators for Economic Growth (SDG 8)

  • Number of new jobs created (Indicator: “Creating 4 million new jobs”).

• Indicators for Sustainable Communities (SDG 11)

  • Number of sustainable housing units (Indicator: “3 million climate-friendly homes by 2030 and 7 million by 2035”).
  • Reduction in per capita vehicle travel (Indicator: “Light-duty vehicle miles traveled (VMT) target of 25% per capita below 1990 levels by 2030”).

• Indicators for Climate Action (SDG 13)

  • Percentage reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by a specific year (Indicators: “Slashing greenhouse gas emissions 85% by 2045” and “48% reduction of greenhouse gasses by 2030”).
  • Tons of carbon removed or captured (Indicator: “Carbon removal/capture targets of 20 million metric tons CO2 equivalent (MMTCO2e) by 2030 and 100 MMTCO2e by 2045”).

• Indicators for Life on Land (SDG 15)

  • Percentage of land conserved (Indicator: “conserve 30% of the California’s natural and working lands by 2030”).
  • Percentage increase in urban forest cover (Indicator: “increase tree canopy by 10% above current levels”).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: gov.ca.gov