What’s going on with environmental issues in California in 2026?

California’s climate and water agenda in 2026 is ambitious on paper but complicated in practice. The state is setting historic water supply targets, extending its carbon market, and pushing aggressive decarbonization — while implementation of major programs runs years behind, bond money is getting diverted, and costs are rising fast enough to fracture the political coalition behind climate action. Some Democrats are openly breaking from policies they recently voted for. Meanwhile, federal rollbacks are forcing California to harden its own rules and fight battles in court against the Trump Administration. The underlying tension isn’t really about any single fight — it’s about whether California can hold together the political will to actually deliver on commitments it has already made.

CalMatters environment team:

Editor: Molly Peterson, [email protected]
Climate Reporter: Alejandro Lazo, [email protected]
Water Reporter: Rachel Becker, [email protected]
Environment / Inequality reporter: Alejandra Reyes-Velarde, [email protected]

Quick Facts

Wildfires: Emit as much carbon each year as almost 2 million cars.
Water: State officials warn that climate change could shrink state water supplies by up to 10% by 2040.
Pollution: More than 90% of Californians breathe unhealthy levels of one or more pollutants during the year.
Climate: California emits about 1% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions.

Environment Bills

In Focus

This is a list of all the environment-related bills considered this session. Highlighted bills are selected by CalMatters reporters as among the most significant.

SB 872 In Progress

Repairing Delta levees

Jerry McNerney

This bill calls for 300 million dollar per year to fund repairs to fragile Delta levees and water infrastructure damaged by subsidence. The funding, however, will hinge on the state budget.

SB 1305 In Progress

Bringing grizzly bears back to California

Laura Richardson

This bill calls for the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to develop a roadmap for bringing grizzly bears — gone from the state, but still on the state flag — back to California.

AB 1777 In Progress

Regulating air pollution from ports, warehouses and railyards

Robert Garcia

This bill would enshrine into state law the California Air Resources Board’s authority to develop statewide regulations on indirect sources of pollution like warehouses, ports and railyards.

SB 982 Failed

Suing over climate disasters

Scott Wiener

This bill would allow California’s attorney general to sue oil companies for climate-driven disaster damages and use the proceeds to lower home insurance costs for residents.

SB 73

Elections: inspection of voting systems.

Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Elections and Constitutional Amendments

In Progress

Elections: inspection of voting systems.Committee: Senate Standing Committee on Elections and Constitutional Amendments

AB 35

Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024: Administrative Procedure Act: exemption: program guidelines and selection criteria.

Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Natural Resources

In Progress

Safe Drinking Water, Wildfire Prevention, Drought Preparedness, and Clean Air Bond Act of 2024: Administrative Procedure Act: exemption: program guidelines and selection criteria.Committee: Assembly Standing Committee on Natural Resources

AB 643

Climate change: short-lived climate pollutants: organic waste reduction.