Annapolis, Maryland – The California Air Resources Board (CARB) released its new Draft 2022 Scoping Plan Update, which illustrates a path to carbon neutrality by 2045. The Draft Scoping Plan is the first of its kind to name nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions as a serious climate threat and signals an important shift toward developing broader and more effective strategies to fight climate change.
“To meet our climate goals, reduction of all greenhouse gas emissions, including nitrous oxide emissions, are of paramount importance,” said Thomas Spangler, CleanBay Renewables Executive Chairman. “CARB’s attention to often overlooked N2O emissions in the new Scoping Plan, in addition to their significant emphasis on Natural and Working Lands, sets a global precedent to increase focus on N2O emissions in climate plans and policies moving forward.”
N2O emissions are 300 times more potent than carbon dioxide, destroy the ozone layer, and can remain in the atmosphere for 100 years. Since 1980, human N2O emissions have increased by 30%, largely coming from sources including fuel combustion, industrial processes, wastewater management, and agriculture.
“CleanBay Renewables has long been an advocate for climate plans to include N2O emissions and we strive to provide immediate solutions to address this major climate threat,” said Donal Buckley, CEO of CleanBay Renewables. “We can only meet our climate goals with a concerted effort on all fronts and California’s Draft Scoping Plan serves as a catalyst for informed action against climate change worldwide.”
CleanBay Renewable’s California subsidiary, AgLand Renewables, is helping resolve pressing environmental and energy challenges facing California food and agricultural producers. By converting poultry litter into renewable fuel and controlled-release fertilizer, AgLand’s bioconversion facilities will help significantly (1) reduce greenhouse gas emissions, focusing on N2O emissions, (2) improve soil health, (3) mitigate water quality impacts, and (4) generate full-time, living-wage jobs in communities throughout the Central Valley.
The Scoping Plan Update is now open for a 45-day public review and will be presented to CARB at their June 23rd Board meeting. After review, CARB staff intend to bring the Scoping Plan to the Board for final approval in November 2022.