In February 2005, Arizona Governor Janet Napolitano, citing concerns of global climate change caused by greenhouse gas emissions from human activities, issued an Executive Order creating the Arizona Climate Change Advisory Group (CCAG). The CCAG was tasked with:

• Establishing a baseline inventory and forecast of greenhouse gas emissions in Arizona, and,
• Producing a Climate Action Plan with recommendations for reducing the state’s greenhouse gas emissions.

The Action Plan developed by the CCAG was accepted by Governor Napolitano and in
September 2006 another Executive Order was signed which established a statewide goal of reducing Arizona’s future greenhouse gas emissions to the 2000 emissions level by the year 2020, and to 50 percent below the 2000 level by 2040. A Climate Change Executive Committee was created to oversee implementation of the recommendations of the Climate Action Plan.