Climate Change Advisory Council

Established by Iowa Code section 455B.851 in 2007, the Climate Change Advisory Council is responsible for providing recommendations for reducing statewide greenhouse gases, while also considering the cost-effectiveness of different scenarios. The Council consists of twenty-three (23) voting members appointed by the Governor, and serve three-year staggered terms. The Council is also comprised of four (4) non-voting, ex-officio members from the General Assembly.

As specified in Iowa Code section 455B.851, the council is responsible for submitting a proposal to the Governor and General Assembly by January 1, 2008 that includes the following:

• After consideration of a full range of policies and strategies, including the cost-effectiveness of the strategies, the council shall develop multiple scenarios designed to reduce statewide greenhouse gas emissions, including one scenario that would reduce such emissions by fifty percent by 2050.
  
  
• The council shall also develop short-term, medium-term, and long-term scenarios designed to reduce statewide greenhouse gas emissions and shall consider the cost-effectiveness of the scenarios.
  
  
• The council shall establish a baseline year for purposes of calculating reductions in statewide greenhouse gas emissions

While DNR is charged with staffing the Council, the Council has voted to collaborate with the Center for Climate Strategies (CCS) to facilitate the Council's work under DNR's oversight. CCS will manage the Council's website as of December 14, 2007 at www.iaclimatechange.us.

Questions regarding the Council may be directed to Marnie Stein of the DNR at (515)281-8468.