Most Californians Back CO2 Regulations, Cap-and-Trade: Poll

OAKLAND, Calif. — A majority of Californians believe the state should give businesses tax credits for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, while two in three favor the idea of a business cap-and-trade system, according to the latest Field Poll.

Eighty-one percent of those polled said they support the idea of the state using regulations to require businesses to reduce GHG emissions. Sixty-one percent said they remained supportive even if the regulations led to higher prices on some goods and services.

In general, the poll found that 70 percent of Californians thought climate change was of personal importance for them, compared to 52 percent that responded favorably to the same question earlier this year.

"The proportion of Californians who volunteer global warming as the world's top environmental problem is comparable to the proportion of U.S. residents volunteering this in another recent national poll," the survey said.

The poll also found that 72 percent support a carbon tax on businesses but the support drops to 52 percent if the tax leads to higher prices for some goods and services.

Fifty-two percent support an individual carbon tax but that support grows to 65 percent if the proceeds are put toward reducing GHG emissions.