Edison International study shows Calif. must quadruple carbon reduction rates to meet goals

A new policy paper published by Edison International says that California must quadruple its annual rate of greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions to meet its decarbonization goals for 2030 and beyond.

The paper – called “Mind the Gap: Policies for California’s Countdown to 2030” – added that to achieve these goals, market-transforming policies must be enacted within the next one to two years.

“California is already experiencing the accelerating and compounding effects of climate change,” Pedro Pizarro, president and CEO of Edison International, said. “Not only must public policy address the uncertainty and risk inherent in climate change, it must be reframed to redress historical, present and future inequities, such as the greater impact climate change is having on low-income residents and communities of color. This has significant implications for planning, funding needs, funding mechanisms and program and project execution.”

California has been reducing GHG emissions by an average of 1 percent per year since 2005. However, to meet its 2030 goal, the reduction must rise to 4.1 percent each year through 2030. With the current policies in place, even if successfully implemented, the state will fall short of the 2030 target by about 30 million metric tons.

The electric sector has made significant progress, reducing GHG emissions by over 40 percent since 2005, said Erica Bowman, director of the Edison International CEO’s Office and principal author of the policy paper.

“However, decarbonization requires GHG emissions reductions across all sectors of the economy. Federal and state policies are needed to continue the progress of the electric sector and accelerate the electrification of other sectors and to ensure the reliability and resilience of the grid. These include policies that support sufficient transmission infrastructure to interconnect renewable resources as well as adequate distribution infrastructure,” Bowman said.

The paper found that the transportation sector remains California’s biggest decarbonization challenge as GHG emissions from that sector have been increasing since 2013. While electric vehicle (EV) sales in California have outpaced the national average, additional incentives for EV purchases and charging infrastructure will be needed. On its current trajectory, California will fall short by 60 percent for transportation electrification and more than 50 percent for residential building electrification in 2030. The paper added that the electrification of buildings represents a significant opportunity to reduce GHG emissions both in the near and long terms.

“There is also a crucial role for the federal government to play, especially in helping create functioning markets that support the affordable electrification of key sectors,” Bowman added. “Substantial capital must be deployed throughout the country if the U.S. is going to meet the Nationally Determined Contribution goal of 50%-52% economywide emission reductions by 2030.”

Utility companies should work in close partnership with state policymakers and regulatory bodies to implement the necessary structures and conditions to support the transition to a clean-energy economy, Pizzaro said.

“This will require greater funding, improving, clarifying and harmonizing goals, standards, planning and approaches to how the transition takes place and how quickly,” he said.