[Author’s photo of the Caspian Sea.]
The Pacific Ocean meets the Caspian Sea at COP29. California is once again offering climate leadership, this time in Baku, Azerbaijan.
California has a world-class economy, but is not technically a “party” negotiating at each Conference of the Parties (or “COP”). The actual parties are national governments.
However, the State of California participates at the subnational level to have an impact.
For example, in 2015, California co-founded the Under2 Coalition, “now the largest network of subnational governments committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050 at the latest.”
Then in 2017, California co-founded the U.S. Climate Alliance, “a bipartisan coalition of 24 governors to secure America’s net-zero future by advancing state-led, high-impact climate action.”
This continuing work is essential. As noted by John Podesta, Senior Advisor to the President for International Climate Policy, at his recent press conference:
“We are here to work, and we are committed to a successful outcome at COP 29.
We can and will make real progress on the backs of our climate committed states and cities ….”
Leading the California delegation this year are:
(The image comes from the California Natural Resources website, here.)
California Natural Resources
Secretary Wade Crowfoot
Updates @ https://resources.ca.gov
[The image comes from the California Environmental Protection Agency, here.]
California Environmental Protection Agency Secretary Yana Garcia
Updates @ https://calepa.ca.gov
[The image comes from the California Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation, here.]
Governor’s Office – Land Use & Climate Innovation
Director Sam Assefa
Updates @ https://lci.ca.gov
[The image of a field of poppies came from the California State Parks website, here.]
The California delegation has been busy these first few days of COP29.
On Thursday, November 14th, Secretary Wade Crowfoot represented subnational governments from around the world, when he addressed the climate summit by calling for faster, bolder action to combat climate change.
“We are towns, cities, counties, provinces, states, and regions from around the world taking bold action to reduce pollution, restore nature, and protect our people from intensifying climate impacts,” said Secretary Crowfoot. “For the lives and livelihoods of our people, and the future of our planet, we must act across borders with unprecedented resolve and urgency. There is absolutely no time to waste.”
His full address can be viewed here.
The same day, he also appeared in the Climate Action Innovation Zone to join an international panel addressing the “Harnessing of Biodiversity for Resilience and Net Zero Success.”
Secretary Yana Garcia spoke about the importance of “bold, durable subnational action” at the America is All In event, “Driving Ambitious Climate Goals: Leveraging All-of-Society Action for the U.S. 2035 NDC.”
A recording of the entire panel discussion is available here.
California’s work continues at COP29 by the Caspian Sea.
Guest Post: U.S. @ COP29 – What Now? by Amy Quirk