Oregon Climate Equity Network


2022 UPDATE

OCAP Two-Year Anniversary Report (March 2022)

Two years ago, Governor Kate Brown made history by signing the historic Oregon Climate Action Plan (OCAP), or EO 20-04. The sweeping executive order established new climate emissions reduction targets and directed Oregon’s state agencies to help achieve the state’s new climate and equity goals. OCAP is the largest executive action on climate in Oregon history, and arguably the biggest single climate action ever undertaken by the state given its broad sweep. 

The OCAP Coalition released a report celebrating the second year anniversary of OCAP. The OCAP Two-Year Progress Report highlights the many victories for climate and communities our coalition has achieved through extensive advocacy over the past year, and highlights opportunities for state policymakers to continue building on this promise.

 


BACKGROUND

Governor Brown’s Executive Order 20-04 (a.k.a., the Oregon Climate Action Plan) tasked the Oregon Global Warming Commission with developing a proposal to establish state goals for carbon sequestration by Oregon’s natural and working lands including forests, wetlands, and agricultural lands (“NWL Proposal”).

Oregon’s carbon-rich, biodiverse landscape supports clean drinking water, food, jobs, wildlife habitat, cultural significance, and outdoor recreation opportunities for millions of Oregonians. Yet, the state agencies responsible for managing these natural resources have struggled to evolve to meet the state’s current needs--especially in the face of multiple threats from the climate crisis, severe drought, wildfires and the biodiversity crisis. Our forests and agricultural lands offer tremendous potential to sequester carbon on the landscapes and must be prioritized as key natural climate solutions.

The Oregon Global Warming Commission released a final draft of recommendations (the “NWL Proposal”) for setting carbon sequestration and storage goals, emissions reductions goals, and strategies to achieve them. Thanks to all who submitted public comments. See the one-pager linked below for more info about the Commission and the NWL Proposal.

Natural Working Lands Proposal - One-pager (PDF)

Climate Action Alert Talking Points (PDF)

What the coalition does:

  • Unite with stakeholders working to advance climate and equity, 
  • Engage with decision-makers and maintain supportive working relationships with state leaders, 
  • Recommend strong policies to center equity and achieve state climate goals, and 
  • Highlight and support key opportunities for public engagement. 

 


6 issues ocap website

The six main issue areas addressed in EO 20-04, which have been the focus of the OCAP Coalition’s advocacy, include: transportation, cap and reduce, clean energy, clean buildings, public health, and natural and working lands.


 

Grace Brahler, former Oregon Climate Action Plan & Policy Manager, was responsible for Beyond Toxics’ role as a co-leader of the OCAP Coalition’s efforts focused on carbon sequestration and storage on Oregon’s natural and working lands, including forests, agricultural lands, and wetlands. 

In 2021, Beyond Toxics staff testified on behalf of Beyond Toxics or the OCAP Coalition thirteen times, communicating our vision of a regenerative future to decision-making bodies like the Oregon Global Warming Commission, the Environmental Quality Commission, and legislative committees evaluating agency budget proposals. We are also spearheading a grassroots outreach group to increase public involvement at the nexus of forestry and climate.

Some relevant resources and examples of our work engaging with EO 20-04 implementation efforts are linked below:

Executive Order 20-04 (PDF)

Updates on OGWC’s Natural and Working Lands Goal

OCAP Forest Policy Table Brief to OGWC (PDF)

OCAP Ag/Water Policy Table Shared Recommendations to OGWC (PDF)

Beyond Toxics Testimony on OGWC Draft Strategies 6/4/21 (PDF)

Beyond Toxics Testimony on ODF’s Budget (PDF)

Beyond Toxics Testimony on SB 762 (Wildfire) (PDF)

Beyond Toxics Testimony on ODA’s Budget (PDF)

Beyond Toxics Testimony on SB 404-2 (Soil Health) (PDF)