For Immediate Release
November 2, 2015
Contact: Alex Barnum, (916) 324-9670
SACRAMENTO—California Secretary for Environmental Protection Matthew Rodriquez today announced that more than 50 cities, states and nations – representing more than half a billion people – have now joined the Under 2 MOU, an agreement to limit global warming to less than 2 degrees Celsius.
The milestone was reached after leaders of three Mexican states signed the Under 2 MOU at the Summit of North American Governors and Premiers in Colorado Springs, bringing the number of jurisdictions that have signed or endorsed the agreement to 52. The Mexican states signing are Estado de México, Hidalgo and Yucatán.
“Across North America and around the world, states are demonstrating the leadership we need to counter the threat of climate change,” said Secretary Rodriquez. “Reaching more than 50 signatories in just five months shows the significant support among cities, states and nations for an ambitious, meaningful agreement at the U.N. climate conference in December.”
The Under 2 MOU’s 52 participants come from 19 countries and five continents, collectively representing more than $14.8 trillion in GDP and more than 520 million people. If the signatories represented a single country, it would be the world’s second largest economy behind only the United States.
“The voices of California and others continue to grow stronger as we demand the world’s attention to address climate change,” said California Energy Commission Chair Robert B. Weisenmiller. “Greenhouse gas emissions pose real threats, and it is our duty to lead the response.”
The Under 2 MOU, launched in May by California and 11 other founding signatories, provides a template for nations to follow and encourages greater ambition as countries negotiate an agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions at this year’s United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris.
Signatories to the Under 2 MOU commit to either reduce greenhouse gas emissions 80 to 95 percent below 1990 levels by 2050 or achieve a per capita annual emission target of less than 2 metric tons by 2050. These targets allow each individual government to tailor emission reduction plans to fit regional needs.
The pact seeks to enhance cooperation to achieve these goals through a range of activities, including:
- Developing mid-term targets needed to support long-term reduction goals;
- Sharing technology, scientific research and best practices to promote energy efficiency and renewable energy;
- Collaborating to expand the use of zero-emission vehicles;
- Taking steps to ensure consistent monitoring and reporting of greenhouse gas emissions;
- Improving air quality by reducing short-lived climate pollutants such as black carbon and methane; and
- Assessing the projected impacts of climate change on communities.
For more information on the agreement, please visit www.under2mou.org. The full text of the agreement can be found here.
• California Air Resources Board • Department of Pesticide Regulation • Department of Resources Recycling and Recovery (CalRecycle) • Department of Toxic Substances Control • Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment • State Water Resources Control Board • Regional Water Quality Control Boards
CalEPA, 1001 I Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 • P.O. Box 2815, Sacramento, CA 95812 • (916) 323-2514 www.calepa.ca.gov