The Oregon Climate Action Commission was originally created as the Oregon Global Warming Commission by the 2007 Oregon Legislature. In 2023, the Legislature passed House Bill 3409, which modernized the commission and renamed it to the Oregon Climate Action Commission.
The modernization was inspired by the commission’s Climate Action Roadmap to 2030.
The commission includes 35 members – 13 voting members appointed by the Governor and 22 nonvoting members, such as directors of relevant state agencies. Among the voting members must be individuals with significant experience in:
Manufacturing
Energy
Transportation
Forestry
Agriculture
Fishing industry
Environmental policy
Environmental justice
Additionally, one member is appointed as a youth representative between 16 and 24 years old. Terms are for four years, other than the youth representative, whose term is two years.
Non-voting members include directors of relevant state agencies and four members of the Oregon Legislature. Learn more on our Commission Members page.
State agencies must provide regular reports to the OCAC on their efforts and progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and preparing for the effects of climate change. The OCAC prepares detailed forecasts of expected greenhouse gas emissions and submits a report to the Legislature on December 1 of even-numbered years. (Note: prior to 2024, the commission submitted reports by March 31 of odd-numbered years.)
The Oregon Department of Energy provides staff support for the commission and its members.
Our Mission
Recommend ways to coordinate state and local efforts to reduce Oregon's greenhouse gas emissions, and to help the state, local governments, businesses, and Oregonians prepare for the effects of climate change.
The commission may recommend statutory and administrative changes, policy measures, and other actions to be carried out by state and local governments, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and residents. Additionally, the commission tracks and evaluates: assessments of global warming impacts on Oregon and the Northwest; existing greenhouse gas reduction policies and the advancement of regional, national, and international policies; costs, risks and benefits of various strategies; progress toward reduction goals; technological advances; and other related tasks.
Commission Priorities
Decrease greenhouse gas emissions – both reductions and removals from the atmosphere – in order to meet Oregon’s greenhouse gas goals. It is recognized that these reductions may not occur immediately, but over time. Reductions should begin with the most cost-effective solutions, broadly defined to include near-term and long-term environmental, social, and economic considerations, as well as those that have the capacity to decrease in cost as their deployment becomes more widespread.
Protect the health and well-being of Oregonians and the health and resiliency of Oregon’s ecosystems impacted by climate change. This priority includes developing and devising adaptation plans and strategies to prepare for the threats directly posed by global warming.
Ensure that Oregon’s economy remains vibrant and healthy; that Oregon’s key economic sectors have the tools, information, and assistance they need to plan for and adapt to a changing climate; that they be better positioned economically to withstand the negative consequences of climate change; and that they participate in the benefits.
Read the Commission's Principles, adopted in November 2008 (as then-named Oregon Global Warming Commission).