California Air Resources Board

SACRAMENTO – CARB Executive Officer Richard W. Corey recently announced the appointment of Rajinder Sahota as the new Deputy Executive Officer of Climate Change and Research. In her new role, Sahota will continue to help lead CARB’s climate change programs while assuming additional responsibilities in the Research Division and working with the Executive team to support strengthening collaboration throughout the agency.

“Rajinder offers a proven track record over the years of improving air quality for all Californians and a keen interest in tackling climate change. Her new role will be critical in supporting CARB’s focus on phasing out fossil fuel combustion to achieve our climate and air quality targets, improve air quality in front line communities, and provide a robust foundation of science and data to push for more action sooner,” said Corey.

Sahota started with CARB in 2001 and is currently the Chief of the Industrial Strategies Division. Her work since joining CARB including working on air quality data analyses of studies focused on harmful exposure to local air pollution; assessing ways to reduce locomotive emissions as part of the goods movement effort; developing verification requirements for reporters of greenhouse gas emission data; and, implementing major climate change regulations like the Cap-and-Trade Program and the Low Carbon Fuel Standard. Sahota’s strong working relationships with key stakeholders from academia to policy makers to non-governmental organizations have been key to moving key climate legislation forward.

“When I came to CARB twenty years ago, I was still looking for the right fit for my experience and passion. CARB was and has been a perfect fit, and I look forward to taking on greater challenges in my new role towards achieving my career goal of ending climate change and ensuring that all Californians, but especially those in priority communities, have clean air to breath,” said Sahota.

In addition, Sahota also led a multi-agency team in developing the 2017 Climate Change Scoping Plan and, last year, began a voluntary term as co-chair of the Diversity and Racial Equity (DaRE) Task Force. This work with DaRE focuses on evaluating and removing barriers that keep CARB from being more diverse and inclusive for all. Her commitment to racial equity and better understanding environmental justice through efforts including DaRE will help CARB become more responsive and effective.

Sahota has both a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Atmospheric Science from the University of California, Davis. She is skilled at playing the game Among Us, thanks to her niece, and she loves to travel. In fact, she has an unwavering commitment to eat at the same fish and chips shop in London every time she travels there. Sahota assumed her new position at the beginning of April.