Land Use Takes Back Seat In CA's Global Warming Plan

Energy-efficient vehicles,buildings, appliances, low carbon fuels,and renewable energy took center stage in the Climate Change Draft Scoping Plan released June 26 by the CA Air Resources Board, a major step in meeting the landmark AB 32 climate goals

2 minute read

June 29, 2008, 7:00 AM PDT

By Irvin Dawid


"The draft plan, which seeks to cut greenhouse gas emissions in the state by 30 percent by 2020, encourages local governments to create land-use and transportation plans that help them meet reduction targets."

"Environmental and planning groups, while cautiously supportive of the draft proposal, said they thought it should do more to force local government and builders to develop in a climate-friendly fashion.

The plan said improved land use and transportation planning could cut emissions by an additional 2 percent by 2020 and 4 percent by 2030, it said. An earlier report had put that reduction closer to 6 percent by 2020, said Stuart Cohen, executive director of the Transportation and Land Use Coalition in Oakland.

"We think this number got way too low," he said. "It's going to let everyone off the hook."

On the other hand, the California Building Industry Association plans to lobby to ensure that the final version of the law balances the environmental aims against the goal of providing adequate affordable housing in the state, spokesman John Frith said.

The association and other trade groups representing residential and commercial developers have long blamed the state's high housing costs on onerous government regulations.

"You can't meet the state's housing needs, 230,000 odd units a year to keep up with population growth, strictly with urban infill," he said. "You have to have a mix."

Thanks to ABAG-MTC Library

Friday, June 27, 2008 in The San Francisco Chronicle

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Cover CM Credits, Earn Certificates, Push Your Career Forward

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Aerial view of town of Wailuku in Maui, Hawaii with mountains in background against cloudy sunset sky.

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly

Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

July 1, 2025 - Honolulu Civil Beat

White and purple sign for Slow Street in San Francisco, California with people crossing crosswalk.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths

Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

July 1, 2025 - KQED

Blue and silver Amtrak train at small station.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train

The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.

July 3 - New Orleans City Business

Large spinning swing ride at Chicago's Navy Pier.

The Subversive Car-Free Guide to Trump's Great American Road Trip

Car-free ways to access Chicagoland’s best tourist attractions.

July 3 - Streetsblog Chicago

Aerial view of downtown San Antonio, Texas at night with rotating Tower of the Americas in foreground.

San Antonio and Austin are Fusing Into one Massive Megaregion

The region spanning the two central Texas cities is growing fast, posing challenges for local infrastructure and water supplies.

July 3 - Governing