By [Tony Briscoe](https://www.latimes.com/people/tony-briscoe) Staff Writer Sept. 20, 2024 6 AM PT: statement. California greenhouse gas emissions dropped about 2.4% in 2022 — an encouraging sign that the state’s carbon footprint is decreasing once again, even as the economy rebounds from the COVID-19 pandemic, according to state officials.
The California Air Resources Board announced Friday that planet-warming gas emissions shrank by about 9.3 million metric tons of carbon dioxide in 2022 compared to 2021 — the equivalent of removing 2.2 million gasoline-powered vehicles from the road for a year.
More than half of those reductions came from the transportation sector as California drivers bought more electric vehicles and less gasoline. Also, cargo trucks that ferry goods from ports and rail yards are increasingly running on crop-based biofuels, instead of conventional diesel fuel.
“The numbers are clear: our world-leading regulations are reducing emissions, spurring innovation, and bringing us closer to achieving our climate goals,” Air Resources Board chair Liane Randolph said in a statement. “A future with clean air and a vibrant economy is possible and California is leading the way.”
The level of greenhouse gas emissions in 2022 was [the lowest since 2020, a year marred by the pandemic, economic shutdowns and supply chain disruptions](https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2022-10-30/californias-greenhouse-gas-emissions-drop-9-in-2020). In 2021, California’s emissions rose by about 3.4% due to a surge in consumerism and the reawakening of the economy following the development of a vaccine.
**The decline in greenhouse gas emissions in 2022 demonstrates that the state is continuing to lower carbon emissions while growing the economy, officials said. From 2000 to 2022, statewide emissions have decreased by 20% while the gross domestic product (the value of goods and services) has increased by 78%.**
“One of the things that I think is important to observe is that there was a pretty dramatic decrease during COVID in 2020 and a bit of a rebound [in 2021],” said Steven Cliff, the executive officer of the state Air Resources Board. We did not see that rebound continue. Thankfully. You know, the policies are working. And in fact, here in ’22 we’re really close to where we were in in 2020 when that really dramatic decrease was observed.
With the world’s fifth-largest economy and the nation’s largest population, California has made substantial strides in transitioning away from fossil fuels. But questions still abound over whether the state will achieve its ambitious climate goals, including its 2030 target of reducing its carbon footprint by 40% compared to 1990 levels.
To meet that target, Californians would need to eliminate an additional 113 million metric tons of carbon dioxide per year — on par with the emissions from 29 coal-fired power plants.
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By [Tony Briscoe](https://www.latimes.com/people/tony-briscoe) Staff Writer Sept. 20, 2024 6 AM PT: statement. California greenhouse gas emissions dropped about 2.4% in 2022 — an encouraging sign that the state’s carbon footprint is decreasing once again, even as the economy rebounds from the COVID-19 pandemic, according to state officials.
The California Air Resources Board announced Friday that planet-warming gas emissions shrank by about 9.3 million metric tons of carbon dioxide in 2022 compared to 2021 — the equivalent of removing 2.2 million gasoline-powered vehicles from the road for a year.
More than half of those reductions came from the transportation sector as California drivers bought more electric vehicles and less gasoline. Also, cargo trucks that ferry goods from ports and rail yards are increasingly running on crop-based biofuels, instead of conventional diesel fuel.
“The numbers are clear: our world-leading regulations are reducing emissions, spurring innovation, and bringing us closer to achieving our climate goals,” Air Resources Board chair Liane Randolph said in a statement. “A future with clean air and a vibrant economy is possible and California is leading the way.”
The level of greenhouse gas emissions in 2022 was [the lowest since 2020, a year marred by the pandemic, economic shutdowns and supply chain disruptions](https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2022-10-30/californias-greenhouse-gas-emissions-drop-9-in-2020). In 2021, California’s emissions rose by about 3.4% due to a surge in consumerism and the reawakening of the economy following the development of a vaccine.
**The decline in greenhouse gas emissions in 2022 demonstrates that the state is continuing to lower carbon emissions while growing the economy, officials said. From 2000 to 2022, statewide emissions have decreased by 20% while the gross domestic product (the value of goods and services) has increased by 78%.**
“One of the things that I think is important to observe is that there was a pretty dramatic decrease during COVID in 2020 and a bit of a rebound [in 2021],” said Steven Cliff, the executive officer of the state Air Resources Board. We did not see that rebound continue. Thankfully. You know, the policies are working. And in fact, here in ’22 we’re really close to where we were in in 2020 when that really dramatic decrease was observed.
With the world’s fifth-largest economy and the nation’s largest population, California has made substantial strides in transitioning away from fossil fuels. But questions still abound over whether the state will achieve its ambitious climate goals, including its 2030 target of reducing its carbon footprint by 40% compared to 1990 levels.
To meet that target, Californians would need to eliminate an additional 113 million metric tons of carbon dioxide per year — on par with the emissions from 29 coal-fired power plants.