California reduced statewide greenhouse gas emissions by 3.9% in 2024 while maintaining economic growth of 3.2%, the California Air Resources Board reported, extending the state's 20-year record of climate progress.
The year's reduction is equivalent to removing more than 3.2 million gasoline-powered cars from California's roads for one year. Total emissions are now 28% below their 2004 peak, even as the state's economy has nearly doubled.
Emissions fell across multiple sectors. Transportation saw the largest decrease, driven by rising use of renewable diesel and zero-emission vehicles. Power sector emissions dropped despite increased total electricity generation, due to continued expansion of renewables and battery storage. Industrial, agricultural, commercial and residential emissions also declined.
The progress reflects two decades of climate policy beginning with AB 32, the Global Warming Solutions Act, signed in 2006. The law established a goal to reduce emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, which California achieved six years early in 2014. Subsequent legislation in 2016 and 2022 set progressively more ambitious targets, with the current goal of achieving net carbon neutrality by 2045 and an 85% emissions reduction target.
California's climate programs have become a model for governments worldwide. The state has deployed 2.7 million zero-emission vehicles, installed 216,445 public and shared EV chargers, achieved 67% clean energy in retail electricity sales, and maintains 21,860 megawatts of battery storage. California leads the nation in clean energy employment with 552,300 workers.
"Twenty years ago, we bet that tackling climate change would make California stronger," said California Air Resources Board Chair Lauren Sanchez. "The results speak for themselves — emissions falling, our economy growing, and our air getting cleaner."