Greenpeace USA analysis of top candidates reveals stark differences on issues that will define California’s climate future

Oakland, California (May 12, 2026) — With California’s June 2 primary just weeks away, a new Greenpeace USA analysis finds that the top Democrat and Republican candidates currently leading the race to become the state’s next governor are also the least prepared to lead on climate. 

Greenpeace USA has released the following rankings for candidates on its 2026 California Climate Leadership Scorecard:

The departure of Eric Swalwell from the race in April reshuffled the Democratic field, allowing former HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra to surge. Based on the most recent major polls, Becerra is now neck-and-neck with Republican frontrunner Steve Hilton at the top of the race. However, both candidates fall short on climate commitments. Becerra received a D on Greenpeace USA’s scorecard, supporting just two of nine benchmarks evaluated. Hilton received an F, failing to support a single one. The Democratic field is far from unified: while Tom Steyer and Katie Porter demonstrated a strong stance on climate, both receiving A grades, party frontrunner Becerra’s D raises serious questions about whether California’s next leader is prepared to meet this climate moment.

“California has suffered some of the harshest impacts of the climate crisis to date, with wildfires, droughts, and floods raging while the Trump Administration aggressively dismantles federal laws and regulations designed to address climate change,” said Greenpeace USA Climate Director Amy Moas, Ph.D. “Who California voters select for governor this year could help turn the tide back toward strong climate action – or it could cement real harm and move us down an unsustainable path. The planet needs strong California leadership on climate now more than ever.”

Greenpeace USA graded candidates on their stated policies relating to nine issues central to tackling the climate crisis in California: 

  • Not accepting money from the fossil fuel industry
  • Holding the fossil fuel industry accountable for climate damages
  • Protecting communities from toxic neighborhood drilling
  • Facilitating a just transition for workers and communities
  • Ending all fossil fuel subsidies
  • Enacting a moratorium on new data centers
  • Supporting state public pension divestment from fossil fuel companies
  • Creating a plan to phase out oil extraction in the state
  • Defending state emissions reduction targets for cars and trucks

This climate scorecard reflects the candidates’ commitments as of May 12. There is still a chance for any of these candidates to sign on to stronger climate policies before polling closes June 2 and this scorecard will be updated accordingly if they do so. Full scoring methodology and criteria are available at https://www.greenpeace.org/usa/california-climate-leadership-scorecard-2026-governors-race/

Media Contact: Madison Carter, Greenpeace USA National Press Secretary, [email protected], +1 703-554-4842

Greenpeace USA Press Desk: [email protected]

Greenpeace USA (inc.) is part of a global network of independent campaigning organizations that use peaceful protest and creative communication to expose global environmental problems and promote solutions that are essential to a green and peaceful future. Greenpeace USA is committed to transforming the country’s unjust social, environmental, and economic systems from the ground up to address the climate crisis, advance racial justice, and build an economy that puts people first. Learn more at www.greenpeace.org/usa.