AB1757: Harnessing the power of California’s Natural and Working Lands 

California is again leading in climate action, developing a pioneering approach to reduce carbon emissions by leveraging forests and other biological sinks to meet its ambitious climate goals. This strategy, called for by AB1757 (Rivas, 2022), involves setting implementation targets for natural and working lands (NWL) to enhance carbon sequestration. An Expert Advisory Committee (EAC), chaired by PFT President Laurie Wayburn, has recommended significantly increased conservation and restoration efforts. Notably, voluntary working forest conservation easements could achieve 150-300 million tons of CO2 emissions reductions in 10 years, surpassing gains from transportation electrification.

For the full expert report, click here.

And, here’s a selection of our own coverage of AB1757: 

• Newsom’s Pioneering Climate Targets Make for Extra-Special Earth Day
• From Victim to Savior? Forests and other Lands as Natural Climate Solutions
• Harnessing the power of nature to address climate change