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Recognizing the state's interests in continued growth, economic development, and energy security, Governor Janet Napolitano signed Executive Order 2005-02 in February 2005 that established the Arizona Climate Change Advisory Group (CCAG). The CCAG's mission was first to prepare an inventory of current state greenhouse gas emissions, as well as a forecast of future emissions, and then present to the Governor an action plan with recommendations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Arizona.
The CCAG comprised a diverse group of stakeholders who brought broad perspective and expertise to the topic of climate change in Arizona. Stakeholders represented the following sectors: electric power generation, fossil fuel industry, manufacturing, mining, agriculture, forestry, construction and building, tourism and recreation, heath care, non-governmental organizations, Indian tribes, state and local government, and the general public.
The efforts of the CCAG were supplemented by technical work groups that provided technical analysis and policy options for the CCAG's consideration. The Arizona Department of Environmental Quality coordinated the stakeholder process, with facilitation and technical support provided by the non-profit Center for Climate Strategies.
The stakeholder process was fully transparent and inclusive of the views expressed by the CCAG members. The stakeholders and technical work groups worked toward consensus through preliminary and joint fact-finding and consideration of policy and alternative solutions. Opportunities for public input were provided where possible throughout the year and half-long effort. Key steps in the process included:
- Development of historical emissions inventories and baseline forecasts to support quantification of actions and exploration of targets. Base years and base emissions rates are to be developed for all sectors and for sub-sectors and policies as needed.
- Examination of related policy actions already undertaken in Arizona, as well as other states and regions, with adaptation and prioritization of options for Arizona based on stakeholder preference.
- Examination of all greenhouse gases will be examined, including carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, synthetic gases, and black carbon (related to diesel fuel and coal combustion).
- Exploration of mitigation options in all sectors including energy supply; commercial, industrial and residential; transportation and land use; agriculture and forestry; and waste management.
- Consideration of a range of possible voluntary and mandatory approaches for unilateral and multi-state actions, with recommendations for action to cover future time periods of 2010, 2020 and a third period beyond to be determined.
In addition, the CCAG considered the overlap of greenhouse gas reductions and air quality, energy, land use, economic development, and explored co-benefits on other key issues. The management and use of water resources received particular attention due to long-term forecasted drought in the region.
At the conclusion of the process, the CCAG provided the Governor with a final Climate Change Action Plan that included the recommendations resulting from the group's work.
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