SACRAMENTO – The California Department of Water Resources (DWR) has been honored by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for its organizational leadership in addressing climate change.
“I am proud to distinguish DWR for its outstanding actions and dedication to reduce harmful carbon pollution that leads to climate change,” said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. “DWR is leading the way towards a healthy environment, and demonstrates that meeting challenges of a changing climate can be done.”
In 2012, the Department adopted the greenhouse gas emissions reduction phase of its Climate Action Plan (CAP), in which DWR commits to reducing its GHG emissions to 50 percent below 1990 levels by 2020 and 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050. To achieve these goals, the CAP relies primarily upon using renewable and cleaner energy sources and improving energy efficiency for the State Water Project. As of 2014, DWR’s carbon emissions were already approximately 30 percent below 1990 levels.
This year, 17 awards were given to 13 organizations, three partnerships and one individual in the public and private sectors for their leadership in addressing climate change. The 2016 Climate Leadership Award to DWR was for Organizational Leadership. This award recognizes organizations that not only have their own comprehensive greenhouse gas inventories and aggressive emissions reduction goals, but also exemplify extraordinary leadership in their internal response to climate change, and engagement of their peers, partners, and supply chain.
“Over the past 10 years, DWR has developed and implemented a comprehensive approach to addressing climate change,” said John Andrew, Assistant Deputy Director, “covering climate science and analysis, mitigation, adaptation, and public outreach. We greatly appreciate that our organizational leadership on this important issue has received this national honor.”
As part of US EPA’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the Agency’s Center for Corporate Climate Leadership co-sponsors the Climate Leadership Awards with two non-governmental organization partners—the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions (C2ES), and The Climate Registry (TCR). These organizations seek to highlight leaders in management and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions — both in internal operations and throughout the supply chain — through the awards.
The awards took place today in Seattle, Washington during the Climate Leadership Conference, which is dedicated to professionals addressing global climate change through policy, innovation, and business solutions.
The 2015 Climate Leadership Award to DWR was in the “Excellence in Greenhouse Gas Management” category.
More information about the 2016 Climate Leadership Award winners is available at http://www.epa.gov/climateleadership/2016-climate-leadership-award-winners
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While the winter rain and snowpack are promising, this may yet prove to be a fifth consecutive year of drought in California. To learn about all the actions the state has taken to manage our water system and cope with the impacts of the drought, visit Drought.CA.gov. Every Californian should take steps to conserve water; find out how at SaveOurWater.com.
