Coordinated Governance of Air and Climate Pollutants: Lessons from the California Experience

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Cities, states, and countries around the world face a significant challenge in limiting pollution that harms local air quality and contributes to climate change. In recent years, some jurisdictions have begun to engage in coordinated governance of pollutants, planning policies that “kill two birds with one stone” to achieve climate and air quality goals at the same time. California is one of the earliest jurisdictions to grapple with coordinated governance of air and climate change, and now has extensive experience in multi-pollutant planning. This report offers a study of the coordinated governance of air and climate pollutants — with a focus on the California experience. The research initiative was carried out in collaboration with Chinese partners examining possibilities for air and climate co-control within China. Coordinated policies in China, where coal represents a large percentage of the energy mix, offer the promise of even greater traditional air pollutant and greenhouse gas co-benefits. Although the report is aimed at policymakers in China, it will be of interest to regulators and researchers in any jurisdiction looking to improve coordinated regulation. The report is authored by Alex Wang, Professor of Law, UCLA Law; David Pettit, Senior Attorney, NRDC; and Siyi Shen, Emmett Frankel Fellow in Environmental Law and Policy, UCLA Law.