Employment Benefits from California Climate Investments and Co-investments

Research Team: J.R. DeShazo (lead), Jason Karpman, David Kong, and Colleen Callahan

UC Campus(es): UCLA

Problem Statement: The majority of the billions of dollars coming from California’s Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund (GGRF) are dedicated to transportation and sustainable communities programs administered by the High Speed Rail Authority, the Strategic Growth Council, California State Transportation Agency, and Caltrans. California is at an important juncture in its implementation of the greenhouse gas Cap-and-Trade Program and its auction revenues that go into the GGRF. With the recent passage of AB 197 among other factors, agencies that implement GGRF programs will need to do even more to monitor and report on the impact of these Climate Investments in terms of providing local economic and other co-benefits in communities across California.

Project Description: UCLA Luskin Center researchers have conducted an enhanced analysis of the GGRF transportation programs, and have estimated the number of jobs created by California Climate Investments through the GGRF. Researchers use IMPLAN, a regional economic input-output model that is widely used in job creation analyses. They provide job year numbers as a state total, by program, and by disadvantaged communities. This research provides a comparison across transportation programs that will enable an understanding of how jobs are being created and in what industries. It also identifies possible tradeoffs (e.g., between job quality and job quantity) and recommendations for maximizing local economic value from these climate and transportation investments especially in disadvantaged communities. Researchers also have conducted technology transfer and executive education activities through policy briefs and by hosting an event in Sacramento for agency and legislative staff.

Status: Completed

Budget: $27,500