Climate Change & GHG Emissions

GDB’s attorneys work closely with leading technical experts and scientists to prepare fulsome greenhouse gas (GHG) emission inventories for projects sponsored by private sector and public agency applicants.  The firm also strategizes with its clients and supporting consultant teams to identify innovative GHG emission reduction strategies and outline mechanisms to permit projects to adapt to the changing climate.

The firm’s attorneys utilize their expertise to prepare and review GHG emissions impact analyses presented for CEQA and NEPA compliance and other permitting purposes.  GDB also assists with project consistency evaluations relative to climate action plans and regional transportation plans/sustainable communities strategies.  In this respect, the firm’s attorneys closely monitor the relevant legal framework established at the federal, state and local levels.

Since the advent of California’s Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, the firm has worked on numerous high-profile projects – both in the land use development and airport sectors, some of which have been litigated on the sufficiency of the GHG emissions impact analysis.  These experiences have provided GDB with unique understanding of the arguments advanced by project opponents with respect to the sufficiency of emissions inventories, the adequacy of significance thresholds, and the effectiveness of mitigation.  While the law surrounding what constitutes a “safe harbor” for GHG emissions analysis is not yet settled, the firm is well equipped to identify avenues for compliance.