California Records One of Its Single Largest Drops in Climate Pollution on Record - CleanTechnica

California achieved one of its largest single-year reductions in climate pollution in 2023, lowering greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 3%, a decrease only surpassed during the 2009 Great Recession and the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. This progress, detailed in the 17th annual report by think tank Next 10, highlights significant emissions reductions in the electricity sector and transportation, particularly a 17% drop in heavy-duty vehicle emissions. Although California is not yet on track to meet its 2030 goal of reducing emissions 40% below 1990 levels, the accelerated pace of reduction has improved the projected target year from 2037 to 2035. Notably, emissions per capita fell by 2.8% while inflation-adjusted GDP per capita grew by 2.3%, demonstrating that economic growth and climate action can coexist. Renewable energy generation in California reached a historic milestone in 2024, with renewables and large hydroelectric power comprising