Thread by @dana1981

Really interesting report on California GHG emissions by @Next10: next10.org/publications/2…

A thread follows, with lots of pretty charts!

Overall, CA is doing well, already beating its 2020 target of bringing emissions below 1990 levels (1/n)

@Next10 But emissions cuts will need to accelerate in order to meet the state's aggressive 2030 and 2050 targets

@Next10 Transportation is California's Achilles heel, now over 40% of the state's overall GHG emissions.

@Next10 Although cars are becoming more fuel efficient, more Californians are buying vehicles. CA transportation emissions have been up every year since 2013.

@Next10 And although EV and hybrid sales are up, so are sales of internal combustion engine (ICE) cars. In 2007, 77% of Californians owned ICE+hybrid cars. Now 77% own ICEs and 80% own cars. EVs aren't displacing ICEs, they're just accounting for the increase in CA cars owned.

@Next10 Worse yet, more and more Californians are buying gas-guzzling SUVs and trucks! They now account for 57% of new vehicle registrations.

Stop buying gas guzzlers, Californians! WTAF?!

@Next10 But at least more Californians are buying alternative fuel vehicles. About 3.5% of new sales are hybrids, another 1% EVs, and a bit under 1% plug-in hybrids. Not great, but improving.

@Next10 Electricity is a better story in California. Solar installations are soaring, and nearly 30% of the state's electricity now comes from renewable sources - primarily solar and wind with a bit of geothermal and small hydro.

@Next10 That's way better than the USA on average, which is more than a decade behind California in terms of getting electricity from renewables. Get your butts in gear, other states!

@Next10 Though some states are ahead of CA here. Mostly the big wind midwestern states - Iowa, Kansas, Oklahoma, and the Dakotas. Maine and Vermont too, though most of their renewables are from biomass, which is complicated. CA has the most solar, followed closely by neighbor Nevada

@Next10 Thanks mainly to the growth in solar, California is on track to meet its goal of 60% electricity from renewables by 2030, but the pace of growth will need to continue.

@Next10 And finally, as CA's emissions have fallen its economy has grown. Decoupling! You love to see it.

Overall, a lot of good news but California needs to figure out how to crack the transportation nut if it's going to meet those ambitious and laudable climate targets. [FIN]