Brown issued an executive order to reduce California GHGs by 40% below 1990 levels by 2030.

Over four terms as governor, Brown has occupied the forefront of efforts by state governors to confront climate change. The state's two-year-old cap-and-trade program and other climate-friendly policies have already set California GHG emissions on a downward course.

The new carbon reduction goal, which Brown calls the most aggressive GHG target by any North American government to date, eclipses even the one President Obama announced for the nation along with China's pledge last fall (a CO2 emissions cut of 28% below 2005 levels by 2030). It matches the goal of the European Union. Kathleen Wynne, Premier of Ontario, Canada, says she applauds Governor Brown's continued leadership on climate change, citing it as a confirmation that regional governments can play a very important role in shaping strong global agreement.