California Gov. Jerry Brown has issued an executive order to establish a more aggressive greenhouse gas target for the state of a 40-percent reduction below 1990 levels by 2030.

The new greenhouse gas reduction target established by Brown's executive order is the most aggressive benchmark enacted by any government in North America to reduce dangerous carbon emissions over the next decade and a half, according to a press release from Brown's office.

California is on track to meet or exceed the current target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, as established in the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006. California's new emission reduction target of 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2030 will make it possible to reach the ultimate goal of reducing emissions 80 percent under 1990 levels by 2050, Brown's office added.