South Coast AQMD's Historical Activity on Climate Change

For the last two decades, as part of its efforts to reduce local air pollution, South Coast AQMD has promoted a number of programs to combat climate change. For instance, South Coast AQMD has promoted energy conservation, low-carbon fuel technologies (natural gas vehicles; electric-hybrids, hydraulic-hybrids, and battery-electric vehicles), renewable energy, vehicle miles traveled (VMT) reduction programs, and market incentive programs.

South Coast AQMD's first formal action to fight greenhouse gases (GHG) occurred in 1991, with the issuance of its Policy on Global Warming and Stratospheric Ozone Depletion, targeting a transition away from chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) as an industrial refrigerant and propellant in aerosol cans.  In the early 1990s, South Coast AQMD adopted several regulations regarding ozone depleting compounds which served as models for state and federal agencies.

South Coast AQMD has a long tradition of environmental stewardship practices and policies internally, as well. For years, South Coast AQMD has utilized a 10 hour-4 day work week.  This reduces employee VMT by 20%.  South Coast AQMD has also been a pioneer with its successful rideshare program.  Our fleet consisting mainly of clean fuel vehicles that are made available for staff to use during workdays.  South Coast AQMD works to be energy independent and to employ green practices.  We have a large solar panel array on the roof of the South Coast AQMD headquarters, as well as various waste reduction and recycling programs.  South Coast AQMD tracks its GHG emissions, has adopted a Green Policy, and has a Green Team comprised of top management and union representatives from all departments of the agency.

South Coast AQMD adopted the Air Quality-Related Energy Policy, which integrates air quality, energy, and climate change issues in a coordinated and consolidated manner.

Press Releases

• CAPCOA Launches New, California-based Greenhouse Gas Credit Exchange - January 2, 2014 (PDF, 52kb)

• SCAQMD Simplifies Requirements for Landfills, April 5, 2011

• Thousands of Southland Students to Attend High School Conference on Air Quality, May 21, 2010

• SCAQMD Approves First Reforestation Project for Station Fire Area of Angeles National Forest, Apr. 2, 2010

• SCAQMD Announces Grants for Tree Planting Projects, June 9, 2009 

Meetings, Forums & Public Notices

Climate Change Committees & Working Groups

• CAPCOA GHG Rx - February 5, 2014, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (PDF, 52kb)

• Climate Change Committee

• Greenhouse Gases CEQA Significance Thresholds Working Group

Public Meetings

• Climate Change Forum - LA City Hall, Chambers Office (October 14, 2010)

Public Notices

• CAPCOA GHG Rx - Notice to Add Forestry Protocols - December 20, 2014 (PDF, 55kb) 

Greenhouse gas reduction projects

• Greenhouse Gas Verification

• SCAQMD's Greenhouse Gas Emissions

• Local Government Funding - Tree Planting Partnership

Rules & Protocols

• Regulation XXVII - Climate Change

• Forest Sector Project Protocol (Oct. 2009) (PDF, 3MB)

• Urban Forestry Project Protocol (Mar. 2010) (PDF, 400kb)

• Manure Management Project Protocol (Nov. 2009) (PDF, 560kb)

• Boiler and Process Heater Efficiency Project Protocol (June 2010) (PDF, 154kb)

CAPCOA GHG Rx Proposed Forestry Protocols

• CAPCOA Forestry Protocol #2 (PDF, 695kb)

• CAPCOA Forestry Protocol #3 (PDF, 6.6MB)

Policies & Publications

• Air Quality-Related Energy Policy (Board approved: Sept. 9, 2011) (PDF, 193kb)

• Green Policy (Board approved: Oct. 2, 2009) (PDF, 135kb)

• GHG Inventories for the County of San Bernardino (May 2009) (PDF, 164kb)

• Climate Change Policy (Board approved: Sept. 5, 2008) (PDF, 23kb)

• White Paper on SoCal Climate Solutions Exchange (Board letter: June 6, 2008)

Fact Sheets & Brochures

• Climate Change High School Flyer (Fact sheet: Mar. 2010) (PDF, 343kb)

• Climate Change By the Numbers (Fact sheet: Feb. 2007) (PDF, 514kb)