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FACING CLIMATE CHANGELeadership in Action
About Climate Change
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Factsheets: focus on climate change2008 Comprehensive Plan"Growing Washington's Economy in a Carbon-Constrained World"
General information about Climate Change
Overview of Comprehensive PlanE2SHB 2815 requires Ecology to develop a comprehensive plan to achieve the statutory emissions reductions adopted by the Legislature and submit that plan to the Legislature by December 2008. The first edition of that plan focuses on the emissions reductions required by 2020. The full plan is available at www.ecy.wa.gov/climatechange/2008CompPlan.htm Read more about: Overview of Comprehensive Plan Covered Sectors and Greenhouse GasesThe Western Climate Initiative (WCI) cap-and-trade program will cover the six primary greenhouse gases. The program is scheduled to begin in 2012 with coverage of emissions from electricity generation and major industrial sources. In 2015 the program will expand to include emissions from transportation fuels such as gasoline and fuels used at homes, businesses, and factories such as natural gas and propane. Read more about: Covered Sectors and Greenhouse Gases Consistency and State DiscretionFor the Western Climate Initiative (WCI) to have an operating regional carbon market certain program elements must be the same in all participating jurisdictions. Generally, these are the elements that affect the value of allowances or offsets. Other elements of the program can be tailored to the individual state or province without affecting market functions. Read more about: Consistency and State Discretion Setting the Regional CapThe Western Climate Initiative (WCI) cap-and-trade program design includes the methods for setting the regional cap on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for each year from 2012 through 2020. The regional cap is an overall emissions limit set for the WCI jurisdictions as a group. Once the regional cap is set, each state and province will receive an annual share of those allowances. Read more about: Setting the Regional Cap Compliance and FlexibilityIn the Western Climate Initiative (WCI) cap-and-trade program a facility that emits more than 25,000 metric tons of greenhouse gases will be required to turn in allowances, or tradable emission permits. The allowances must be equal to the emissions produced at that facility. The WCI design includes a number of features that provide compliance flexibility and help reduce the cost of allowances. Read more about: Compliance and Flexibility Preventing Market ManipulationWhen the Western Climate Initiative (WCI) cap-and-trade program is implemented, it will create new markets for emission allowances. Preventing manipulation of these new markets is a top priority of the Departments of Ecology and Community, Trade, and Economic Development. Read more about: Preventing Market Manipulation Offset Projects and CreditsAn offset is a project that reduces greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (or increases GHG sequestration) in sectors that are outside the cap-and-trade program, or at facilities and entities whose emissions are below the threshold set for the program. If certain criteria are met, the project may receive a credit that can be sold to a covered facility or entity to help meet its compliance obligation. Read more about: Offset Projects and Credits Forestry, Agriculture and BioGas as OffsetsAs part of the Western Climate Initiative (WCI) cap-and-trade program, Washington will participate in creating a strong regulatory offset system for the region. In 2008, the Legislature directed the Departments of Ecology (Ecology) and Community, Trade and Economic Development (CTED) to recommend how the forestry and agriculture sectors might participate in the program as offsets or other credits. The Legislature also asked Ecology and CTED to looks into how local governments and the generation of electricity or alternative fuel from landfill gas and anaerobic digester gas might receive an offset or credit in the proposed cap-and-trade program. Read more about: Forestry, Agriculture and BioGas as Offsets Other Greenhouse Gas Cap-and-Trade ProgramsIn addition to the Western Climate Initiative (WCI), there are two other regional cap-and-trade programs for greenhouse gases within the United States and one in Europe. The WCI will continue to work with and learn from these programs. Read more about: Other Greenhouse Gas Cap-and-Trade Programs 2008 Climate Action Team RecommendationsThe Climate Action Team (CAT) was established in 2007 as part of Governor Gregoire’s Climate Change Challenge. In 2008, the CAT refined their recommendations concentrating on reducing emissions from transportation, building materials and energy use, and waste management. The final CAT report outlines twenty four strategies that will move Washington towards a low-carbon future, with an emphasis on the economic opportunities it holds for the state. Read more about: 2008 Climate Action Team Recommendations 2008 Climate Action Team Recommendations - SEPAThe Climate Action Team’s SEPA Implementation Working Group was formed to provide guidance for considering climate change in public decision making. The recommendations focus on how state agencies, local governments, and the private sector should analyze, disclose, and mitigate (lessen) GHG emissions and the effects of climate change under SEPA. The recommendations also describe ways to provide incentives for “climate friendly” plans, policies, and projects. Read more about: 2008 Climate Action Team Recommendations - SEPA Impacts of Climate Change in Washington State
Read more about: Impacts of Climate Change in Washington State Frequently Asked Questions about Climate ChangeThe state of Washington is working hard to address the impacts of climate change on its natural resources, communities and economies. The scientific community, participating in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), has reached a strong consensus regarding the science of global climate change: The Earth’s temperature is rising, and that rise is caused by carbon dioxide emissions and other greenhouse gases from human activities. The answers to the frequently asked questions below can help state officials and citizens understand why it is important to act now. Read more about: Frequently Asked Questions about Climate Change The Western Climate InitiativeThe Western Climate Initiative (WCI) is a collaboration between western states, Canadian provinces, and Mexican states to reduce greenhouse gases in our region. The Initiative was originally signed on February 26, 2007 by the governors of Washington, Oregon, California, Arizona and New Mexico. The Initiative directs the staff of the partners (signatories) to accomplish three tasks:
Read more about: The Western Climate Initiative Cap and TradeCreation of a greenhouse gas cap and trade program is being discussed across the country as a way to address climate change. In addition to numerous federal proposals, 23 states working within three collaborations are designing cap and trade programs. Below are some of the basics of cap and trade. A cap and trade program is a way to reduce pollution using market forces to achieve cost-effective environmental protection. Read more about: Cap and Trade Cap and Trade TerminologyLike any field, cap and trade has its own terminology. This paper provides a very high level explanation of the most common terms and is intended to assist in a general understanding of the topic. This paper does not attempt to offer a definitive or thorough explanation of all the elements that comprise a cap and trade program. Read more about: Cap and Trade Terminology Reporting Greenhouse Gas EmissionsThe Governor’s Climate Change Framework legislation (House Bill 2815) requires certain entities to report their greenhouse gas emissions beginning in 2010. Reporting is required for those entities whose emissions from operations exceed 10,000 metric tons, or those entities whose emissions from motor vehicles exceed 2,500 metric tons. Read more about: Reporting Greenhouse Gas Emissions Emission StandardsWashington needs clean car standards to reduce climatechanging greenhouse gases (GHGs). Motor vehicles are Washington’s main source of GHGs. California’s clean car standards reduce GHGs more than the federal standards do. They are also more effective at reducing other air pollutants that cause serious health problems. Read more about: Emission Standards Preparing for ImpactsWashington’s climate is changing, and the impacts of the expected changes could be profound. Although our state is working to significantly reduce its contributions to climate change, some changes can’t (or won’t) be prevented. That’s why Governor Gregoire committed the state to preparing for and adapting to the impacts of climate change, as part of Washington’s Climate Change Challenge (Executive Order 07- 02). Read more about: Preparing for Impacts Citizen EngagementThe Governor’s Executive Order asked for recommendations for educating and engaging the public in the Climate Change Challenge. The interim report to the Governor includes a citizen engagement and action framework closely linked to the recommendations and priorities identified by the working groups. The framework was developed in consultation with numerous stakeholders, climate educators, and formal and community education experts. Read more about: Citizen Engagement Climate Change and JobsJob growth in Washington’s clean energy industry has increased four-fold in the past 10 years. Washington is a national leader in addressing climate change. The steps we take to reduce our impact on the climate create opportunities to grow the economy. There are good, family wage jobs created by our focus on cleaner energy, smarter use of natural resources and adoption of advanced technology. This sector of our economy is growing rapidly. Read more about: Climate Change and Jobs Leading the Way on Climate ChangeThe report “Leading the Way on Climate Change: The Challenge of Our Time” summarizes the initial work of the 2007 Climate Advisory Team (CAT) and the Preparation/Adaptation Working Groups (PAWGs) on how Washington can reduce its contribution to global greenhouse gas levels and prepare for the inevitable impacts of climate change. The report also provides updates on other local, state and regional actions in response to the Governor’s Executive Order 07-02, Washington’s Climate Change Challenge. Read more about: Leading the Way on Climate Change The 2007 Climate Advisory TeamOn February 7, 2007, Governor Gregoire issued Executive Order 07-02, the Washington Climate Change Challenge, declaring Washington’s commitment to address climate change. In the Executive Order she set goals to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases to 1990 levels by 2020, increase clean-energy jobs, and reduce spending on imported fuels. She tasked the directors of the Departments of Ecology and Community, Trade and Economic Development to consult with a broad range of stakeholders to develop recommendations for a full range of policies and strategies to help Washington meet its goals. Read more about: The Climate Advisory Team |
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