Information Exchange & Partnerships

The Climate Action Branch is dedicated to working with internal and external partners, both within California and nationally to ensure we stay at the forefront of climate research and projects.  Our broad range of partners includes:

Climate Change Peer Exchange

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) organized a climate change peer-exchange with representatives from Washington, Oregon and California DOTs to discuss climate change issues for the West Coast. The three states shared lessons learned, and discussed the development of common approaches for climate change adaptation. The three states continue to work together on climate change issues affecting the West Coast.

West Coast Green Highway

The climate change branch is working with Washington and Oregon to complete the West Coast Green Highway. The West Coast Green Highway is the 1,350 miles of Interstate 5 (I-5) stretching from the U.S. border with Canada, through Washington, Oregon, and California, to the U.S. border with Mexico. The drivers of hundreds of thousands of cars and trucks that travel on this major roadway each day soon may select from a menu of clean alternative fuel such as natural gas, biodiesel, ethanol, or hydrogen. Learn more about the West Coast Green Highway Project.

California Climate Action Team (CAT)

Caltrans is a member of the California State Agency Climate Action Team. The CATs mission is to coordinate statewide efforts to implement global warming emission reduction programs, and implement the state’s Climate Adaptation Strategy. The CAT is subdivided into nine working groups, and Caltrans is a member of the Coastal and Ocean Climate Adaptation Team (CO-CAT), the Land Use and Infrastructure Working Group (CCLU-In), the Research Working Group, and the State Government Working Group.

Ocean Protection Council Sea-Level Rise Guidance and Resolution

The Coastal Ocean Climate Action Team (CO-CAT) established the sea level risk task force of the Coastal and Ocean Working Group to develop sea level rise scenarios for the state while awaiting the results of the National Academies of Sciences study. The scenarios were developed in a document jointly prepared by 16 state agencies titled: Sea Level Rise Task Force Interim Guidance Document.

In addition to the interim guidance document, the Ocean Protection Council prepared a resolution on sea-level rise. On March 11, 2011 both documents were presented to the Ocean Protection Council Board and adopted.

Climate Registry

The Climate Registry is the leading voluntary greenhouse gas (GHG) registry in North America. The Registry provides tools and guidance for organizations to measure their GHG emissions. Caltrans gained the prestigious title of Climate Action Leader, in 2007 when the Department reported emissions and had them third party verified. As a member, Caltran's continues to annually calculate greenhouse gas emissions produced by Department facilities and operations.

Caltrans Climate Change Workgroup

The Climate Change Branch organized an internal workgroup comprised of various Divisions to discuss climate change issues important to the Department. The Climate Change Workgroup acts as the Department’s clearinghouse for climate change policy and decision-making.