SACRAMENTO – Despite the challenges posed by a global pandemic and unprecedented heat and wildfires, 2020 was another record year for California Climate Investments with more than $3.1 billion invested in more than 51,000 projects across California’s 58 counties. Projects implemented in 2020 alone will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by nearly 18 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent over the course of their lifetimes.
Of the $3.1 billion investment in 2020, $1 billion is benefiting disadvantaged and low-income communities and households — collectively referred to as priority populations. To date, more than $4 billion in California Climate Investments funds have benefited priority populations — nearly half of all project investments.
Californians have benefitted from these investments through improved public health, fire prevention, affordable housing and energy efficiency, as well as significant reductions in emissions of greenhouse gases. To date, California Climate Investments projects have helped plant more than 133,000 urban trees, reduced smog-forming and other air pollutants by more than 60,000 tons, added more than 7,200 new affordable housing units, and saved Californians almost $93 million through water energy‑efficiency projects.