Climate Change
The Global Warming Solutions Act
SCAG is addressing the climate change
challenge through implementation of recent State legislation. In
2006, Assembly
Bill No. 32 (AB 32), the California Global Warming Solutions
Act, passed into law requiring that statewide GHG emissions be
reduced to 1990 levels by 2020. This would represent reducing
about 30 percent from business-as-usual emission levels projected
for 2020. On December 11, 2008, the California Air Resources
Board (ARB) adopted a comprehensive Scoping Plan outlining the
state’s strategy to achieve the 2020 GHG emission
reduction target.
HQTA Pilot Project
The 2016-2040 Regional Transportation Plan/Sustainable Communities Strategy, adopted by SCAG in 2016, anticipates a significant amount of new housing, population and employment growth to occur in High Quality Transit Areas (HQTAs). HQTAs, which feature frequent transit service or major transit stations are located in communities throughout the SCAG region.
- please click here
- List of Eligible Applicants
- Downtown Los Angeles
- East San Gabriel Valley
- Gateway Communities
- Los Angeles Mid-City - Westside Communities
- Long Beach - South Bay
- Palmdale - Lancaster
- San Fernando Valley
- Santa Clarita
- South Los Angeles - South Bay - Gateway Cities
- West San Gabriel Valley
- Central Orange County
- North Orange County
- South Orange County
- Coachella Valley
- Northwest Riverside County
- Southwest Riverside County
- North San Bernardino County
- South San Bernardino County
- Ventura County
- Jurisdictional Workshop Presentation
- Read more
Alternative Fuels & Vehicles
In 2012, the Southern California
Association of Governments led a collaborative process to prepare
Southern California for the anticipated influx of plug-in
electric vehicles (PEVs) in the region, which could be as high as
700,000 by 2022 according to SCAG research. PEVs will reduce air
pollution, decrease our dependency on foreign oil and attract
green businesses to Southern California.
Transportation & Alternative Fuels
California is working to expand the use and production of alternative fuels and vehicles for their benefits to air quality, climate change and to reduce our dependence on petroleum-based fuels. Executive Order S-1-07, the Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS), calls for a reduction of at least 10 percent in the carbon intensity of California’s transportation fuels by 2020. It instructed the California Environmental Protection Agency to work with other state agencies to develop a schedule to meet the 2020 target.
Common alternative fuels include the following:
Open Space
Open Space & The Quality of Life
The concept of sustainability includes “Improving the quality of human life while living within the carrying capacity of supporting ecosystems.[1]” As our region grows and urbanizes, we are modifying the natural world and diminishing the availability of resources for future generations. While we continue to improve our quality of life, we must also create a sustainable framework for the future.
Green Buildings
Buildings & Green House Gas Emissions
Greenhouse gas emissions from buildings are substantial. New buildings can be constructed using passive solar building design, low- or zero-energy building techniques, using renewable heat sources. Existing buildings can be made more efficient through the use of insulation, high-efficiency appliances (particularly hot water heaters and furnaces), double- or triple-glazed windows, external window shades, and building orientation and siting.
Energy
Sustainable Energy
Clean, stable and sustainable sources of energy for Southern California are critical to supporting a healthy and resilient region. In developing future plans, SCAG must fully weigh and consider energy supply, efficiency, consumption and environmental impacts, such as greenhouse gas emissions.
Water
Sustainability & Water
Additional water resources will be
needed to meet the growing population and economy of the SCAG
region. Sufficient water supplies are needed to meet these future
water demands. In addition water quality and watershed management
needs to be addressed.
Water supplies in the SCAG region come from a blend of local and imported sources. Water conservation, or efficiency, involves technological and behavioral changes that lower the demand for water.
Solid Waste
Waste Reduction & Global Climate Change
Solid waste reduction and recycling help address global climate change. The manufacture, distribution and use of products – as well as management of the resulting waste – all result in greenhouse gas emissions. Waste prevention and recycling reduce greenhouse gases associated with these activities by reducing methane emissions, saving energy, and increasing forest carbon sequestration.
2021 SCAG Sustainability Awards
Call for Nominations
SCAG is committed to highlighting excellence in sustainable planning and projects in the SCAG Region. These plans and projects are integral to carrying out the goals and policies of Connect SoCal and promote a cleaner and healthier Southern California. Each year, SCAG honors projects that best exemplify the core principles of sustainability with awards.