Advocacy

ADVOCACY

Read more about pieces of legislation in California involving sustainability:

• AB 285 (2023) – Climate Change Instruction: Requires climate change instruction for grades 1–12, delivered through the existing NGSS Science Framework rather than a standalone course. Content scales by grade, from weather/environmental basics in K–2 to climate modeling in high school. (CDE, Green Ninja)

• Education and the Environment Initiative (EEI): A longer-running state initiative establishing Environmental Principles and Concepts and a supporting curriculum districts can adopt to build environmental literacy across subjects. (CalEEI, CDE)

• AB 172 (2026) – Farm to School Program: Signed July 2026; makes funding for California's Farm to School Program permanent, supporting school gardens, local food procurement, and food/agricultural literacy in K-12 schools. (Governor's Office, LegiScan)

• CALGreen (Title 24, Part 11): Mandatory statewide green building code applying to public school construction and modernization — covers energy/water efficiency, indoor air quality, and construction waste reduction. (GoCodebook)

• Proposition 2 (2024) – School Facilities Bond: $10 billion voter-approved bond funding school modernization and construction, with priorities and provisions tied to sustainability, energy efficiency, and climate resilience. (Center for Cities + Schools, Ballotpedia)

• Green Ribbon Schools (CDE program, not legislation): Recognizes schools/districts for reducing environmental impact, improving health and wellness, and effective sustainability education — a recognition program rather than a mandate. (CDE)