Lowering our carbon footprint


As a provider of gas and electricity to millions of Californians, PG&E works hard to manage greenhouse gas emissions. Doing so is integral to our ongoing efforts to provide safe, reliable, affordable and clean energy.

We remain focused on:

  • Managing our carbon footprint
  • Helping customers reduce their energy use with industry-leading tools and incentives
  • Advancing low-carbon policies for California and the country
  • Addressing the need to adapt to changing climate conditions

Reporting our impact

We report our greenhouse gas emissions to the California Air Resources Board and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on a mandatory basis. Visit Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventory and Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program.

On a voluntary basis, we report our greenhouse gas emissions and climate change strategies to the CDP (PDF, 1.9 MB), an international not-for-profit organization that requests information on behalf of institutional investors. We also report a more comprehensive emissions inventory to The Climate Registry (a nonprofit organization). Review PG&E's greenhouse gas emissions data.


Reducing our greenhouse gas emissions

The electricity we provide ranks among the lowest rates of greenhouse gas emissions in the nation. In 2018, our independently verified CO2 emissions rate was 206 pounds of CO2 per megawatt hour (MWh), our lowest level on record.

Beyond providing clean and renewable energy, we’re actively working to reduce our carbon footprint in a variety of other ways, such as:

  • Reducing energy use in our facilities.
  • Reducing methane and sulfur hexafluoride emissions in our operations.
  • Investing in lower-emission vehicles.
  • Building a more sustainable supply chain.

PG&E is using laser technology to search for potential leaks of sulfur hexafluoride, a greenhouse gas.


Advancing responsible solutions

We were the first investor-owned utility to support California's enactment of Assembly Bill (AB) 32. This landmark law set a goal of reducing state greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2020. PG&E supported AB 398, which extends California’s cap-and-trade program for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. We also supported AB 617, which addresses local air quality concerns in affected communities.

California’s Senate Bill (SB) 100 increased the state’s Renewables Portfolio Standard (RPS) target to 60 percent by 2030 and set a policy of meeting 100 percent of retail sales from eligible renewables or zero-carbon resources by 2045. PG&E is committed to meeting California’s vision for a sustainable energy future in a reliable and cost-effective manner for customers.

We also continue to work with our customers to achieve energy savings and greenhouse gas emission reductions. We offer a full portfolio of options, including programs for energy efficiency, demand response and solar installation. PG&E's Solar Choice Program gives customers the option to purchase up to 100 percent of their power from solar energy, without the need to install panels. Find out which program is best for you. 

 

Planning for potential climate change impacts

From extreme weather to rising tides, the threat that climate change poses to crucial sectors of the U.S. economy is becoming all too apparent. For PG&E, it requires that we act now to manage the potential risk to our energy infrastructure and operations.

PG&E's Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment examines our exposure to the forces of climate change, including:

  • Flooding during severe storms
  • Sea level rise
  • Land subsidence
  • Heat waves
  • Changes in precipitation patterns
  • Wildfire danger


It also describes the steps we’re taking to prepare for altered climate conditions. Download Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment (PDF, 6.3 MB).

 

Our approach to addressing changing climate conditions includes:

  • Integrating climate science into key company functions and creating tools to support planning and decision-making that takes into account the future climate.
  • Engaging with utility peers and policymakers to advance energy sector climate resilience, stay up-to-date on the most recent developments in the field, and help state and federal officials in their efforts to prepare for climate change.
  • Partner with customers and communities to enhance climate resilience in California. PG&E offers grants to help communities through our Better Together Resilient Communities program.

We also continue to make substantial investments to build a more modern and resilient gas and electric system that can better withstand extreme weather and natural disasters.