Compact of States and Regions releases first round of targets
Annual Disclosure, States & Regions, Transparency
LYON – The Compact of States and Regions, the only global platform to record greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction targets and inventory data from sub-national governments, has today announced that 20 governments, representing over 220 million people and $8.3 trillion GDP, have committed to a series of ambitious targets to reduce carbon emissions.
These reporting governments currently represent about 1.81 GtCO2e, or 5%, of all global emissions, and with many more due to report over the summer, the potential emission savings through the Compact are set to be one of the most significant commitments presented ahead of COP21.
Presented at the World Summit Climate and Territories in Lyon, France, the initial round of targets include:
All reporting governments have a series of reduction targets across their operations in place – some as ambitious as 90% by 2050 and 100% by 2060.
90% have also reported renewable energy targets.
In total, 85 GHG reduction, energy efficiency and renewable targets have been reported – the total amount of climate recorded actions exceeded 200.
In addition, the Compact will be a platform for governments to report climate data going beyond 2015 – ensuring that they continue to accurately report against their climate targets with reliable, publically available data.
Speaking at the World Summit Climate and Territories, Premier Jay Weatherill of South Australia, and the Asia Pacific Co-Chair of The Climate Group States & Regions Alliance, said: "We recognise that the challenge of climate change is also an opportunity for our state, and we want to ensure a prosperous, sustainable economy and future for our citizens. That is why we have reported our targets to the Compact of States and Regions; a platform that can now allow us to accurately and publicly report climate data against our own commitments.
"Sub-national governments play a vital role in the run up to COP21, and we want to work together, both in our own country and globally, to help ensure that this climate leadership is represented ahead of the international negotiations. More sub-national leaders need to follow suit, leading by example and report ambitious targets to the Compact."
This data will be part of the Non-state Actor Zone for Climate Action (NAZCA) platform, the online tool developed by the United Nations with the governments of France and Peru ahead of COP21. Through NAZCA, businesses, cities, regions and investors have already showcased 2,763 climate initiatives.
Christiana Figueres, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), said: "Regions, States and territories representing the interests of billions of people are leading by example—they are underlining their determination to make the UN climate conference in Paris a success. It is an open invitation for others to get on board, register their commitments and make this wave of climate action unstoppable for generations to come".
The Compact of States and Regions is now encouraging all global state and regional governments to lead by example and act. Governments have until July 31, 2015 to submit their own climate data to be included and part of the COP21 disclosure report.
Jean-Jack Queyranne, President of the Rhône-Alpes Region, host of the World Summit Climate & Territories, said: "I wanted the Rhône-Alpes region to join the Compact of States and Regions, because the history of our climate now writes itself at the sub-national level. Countries sign treaties, but it is local governments who, through their actions and contributions, play a major role each day to tackle climate change."
Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, whose province will host the Climate Summit of the Americas in Toronto next week, said: "This data is evidence of what we have long understood — that subnational governments have an important role to play in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, combatting climate change and supporting the transition to a low-carbon economy. As we approach COP21, subnational governments are taking the opportunity to learn from one another so we can advance our shared priorities and make real progress on this urgent and critical issue."
The following governments have submitted their climate data to the first round of reporting: British Columbia, California, Ontario, Oregon, Quebec, New York and Washington in North America; Jalisco, Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo in Central and South America; Basque Country, Catalonia, Baden-Württemberg, Lombardy, Rhone-Alpes, Scotland and Wales in Europe; and Australian Capital Territory and South Australia in Australia.
Announced last year at the UN Climate Summit, the Compact is the first-ever global assessment of the GHG reduction contributions being made by state and regional governments around the world, allowing them to accurately record commitments and grow long-term ambition.
An infographic mapping out the governments and explaining the data, is available here.
The Compact of States and Regions is a partnership between The Climate Group, CDP, R20 and nrg4SD, supported by the UN, Climate-KIC, Center for the New Energy Economy (CNEE) ICLEI and ENCORE.
Learn more about the Compact of States and Regions
For more information, please contact Beth Woodthorpe-Evans at The Climate Group media@theclimategroup.org| +44 (0)7912514445
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