Menu
U.S. Climate Alliance-Affiliated Events at COP25 in Madrid, Spain (all times local):
December 7, 2019
Transportation is the largest source of GHG emissions in the United States, and one of the most difficult to tackle nationally and globally. Through a suite of policy tools and ambitious leadership, U.S. Climate Alliance states are accelerating the transition to zero-emission vehicles and mobility. Three-quarters of electric vehicles sold in the United States are in Alliance borders. Finding solutions that protect families and businesses from unnecessary air pollution and high fuel costs is critical for Alliance states, but the political solutions are not always straightforward, and are made more complex with the ongoing efforts to roll back clean car standards and attack states’ rights.
To date, fourteen jurisdictions have adopted more stringent vehicle emissions standards via the authorities granted to them by the Clean Air Act. Collectively they represent 36 percent of the light-duty vehicle market. In July 2019, twenty-four Alliance governors issued the Nation’s Clean Car Promise, reemphasizing their commitment to one strong, national clean car standard and preserving state authority. Despite the federal headwinds, states are working together and deploying creative solutions to overcome the political barriers to progress.
This event featured Alliance state officials from across the political and geographic spectrum that shared how their states are navigating the political, policy and technical transition to a clean mobility future. They also provided a glimpse toward 2020 and spoke to policy priorities that help move them closer to their goals.
Time: 4-5pm
Participants:
December 9, 2019
In the last year, the U.S. Climate Alliance has grown to 25 members, representing more than half the U.S. population and 60 percent of the U.S. economy — equivalent to the third largest national economy in the world. We have seen new regions on the rise, expanding the cultural and geographic diversity of climate leadership and pursuing priorities that resonate across the country.
U.S. governors have tremendous authority to take executive and regulatory action to address some of the nation’s most significant climate challenges. They are also the laboratories of democracy, testing out the nation’s most innovative policies from carbon markets to electrification of heavy-duty vehicles and first-ever state building performance standards. Alliance states are expanding the number of climate leaders and the share of national emissions they can tackle, as well as the level of ambition of climate solutions — embracing 100 percent zero-carbon power, setting bold GHG reduction targets, decarbonizing transportation and improving energy efficiency. While states are driving their most ambitious climate agenda in U.S. history, they do so against the headwinds of a federal administration intent not only rolling back our national climate framework, but on attacking states’ rights to protect their own communities from carbon pollution.
The Alliance released its 2019 Annual Report at this event, sharing independent analysis that shows how — in spite of federal setbacks and as a testament to the leadership of U.S. governors — Alliance states are within reach of achieving their share of the former U.S. GHG reduction target. The report will provide an overview of the major policies adopted in the last year, contrast Alliance progress with the rest of the country, and show how climate leadership and economic growth go hand-in-hand.
The panel featured three senior state officials that represent the diversity of Alliance states, who spoke to their recent slate of legislative and executive achievements, peered over the horizon to preview upcoming policy priorities and challenges, and discussed the evolving relationship with and response to the federal government.
Time: 3-4pm
Participants:
Launched on June 1, 2017 by the governors of Washington, New York, and California to help fill the void left by the previous administration’s decision to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Agreement, the Alliance has grown to include 24 governors from across the U.S. representing approximately 60% of the U.S. economy and 55% of the U.S. population. Governors in the Alliance have pledged to collectively reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 26-28% below 2005 levels by 2025, at least 50-52% below 2005 levels by 2030, and collectively achieve overall net-zero greenhouse gas emissions as soon as practicable, and no later than 2050.
The Alliance’s states and territories continue to demonstrate that climate action goes hand-in-hand with economic growth, job creation, and better public health. While reducing emissions by 18% between 2005 and 2021, Alliance members grew their collective GDP by nearly 30%. The coalition’s states and territories are employing more workers in the clean energy sector, achieving lower levels of dangerous air pollutants, and preparing more effectively for climate impacts and executing more pre-disaster planning than the rest of the country.
###
