The Global Warming Solutions Act, better known to any business and regulatory agency in California as AB 32, is set to bring a much needed halt to erratic spewing of greenhouse gases across California, and to provide tools for other states and the nation to develop similar acts to curb the country’s climate change contributions.

While it will bring environmental benefits, the regulation can require investing cash into equipment and measures to limit greenhouse gas emissions, while facing already struggling business bank accounts. Some who do support the goals of AB 32, are worried that the program could “create economic incentives to do business elsewhere” as in other states (NorthBay Biz, February 2009).

To begin to tackle this, California businesses, particularly small businesses who must make changes to be able to compete with big business, as well as cash strapped city government departments, must begin by assessing their footprints and creating achievable action plans for reducing their emissions and requesting their vendors and subcontractors to do the same. Then, take advantage of the tax incentives and grants the Obama administration plans to offer for reducing climate change impacts.

Businesses and agencies in the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of all things green, are implementing convenient and cost effective measures by encouraging transit and reducing their company’s contribution to greenhouse gases caused by traffic congestion. CEO Cynthia Murray of the North Bay Leadership Council notes that their organization is “reducing traffic congestion, [making] our employees’ lives better [and] reducing GHG emissions” (NorthBay Biz, February 2009).

On a more productive note, AB 32 will also rev up new technologies that capture and prevent emissions, creating new business opportunities.