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Alliance members know firsthand that use of the social cost of greenhouse gases (SC-GHG) provides a strong foundation for decision-makers to assess the benefits of GHG reductions by accounting for the true cost of climate change damages. We have collectively committed to considering the societal and environmental impacts of GHG emissions in our efforts and already, 17 Alliance states have incorporated the SC-GHG in their policymaking, including in electric power sector planning and resource compensation. Importantly, our work at the state level is informed by guidance from the IWG as well as the academic and scientific communities.
We support EPA’s updated estimates for the SC-GHG in its draft report, The Social Cost of Greenhouse Gases: Estimates Incorporating Recent Scientific Advances. These estimates are informed by the latest science, account for global damage estimates, and include an appropriate range of discount rates.
Launched on June 1, 2017 by the governors of Washington, New York, and California to help fill the void left by the previous administration’s decision to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Agreement, the Alliance has grown to include governors from across the U.S. Governors in the Alliance have pledged to collectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 26-28% below 2005 levels by 2025, at least 50-52% below 2005 levels by 2030, and collectively achieve overall net-zero greenhouse gas emissions as soon as practicable, and no later than 2050.
Alliance states and territories are achieving lower levels of air pollution, delivering more energy savings to homes and businesses, preparing more effectively for climate impacts, generating more electricity from zero-carbon sources, and collectively employing over 40% more workers in the clean energy sector than the rest of the country. For more information on Alliance members’ bipartisan, cross-sector climate action, see our Fact Sheet.
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