Good morning, everyone.
It is a pleasure to join you today at the International Conference on Neutrality and be among leading governments, businesses and climate advocates that are taking action to bring down emissions. I’d like to thank to Governor Kim of Chungnam for his inspiring leadership and for hosting this crucial event.
This conference comes at a pivotal time for climate action, and I’m particularly excited about today’s theme: Accelerating Climate Action: Local Climate Leadership and Global Partnership. It highlights exactly what we need to focus on: collaborative action.
We are gathering today at a critical time, in a year that is on track to become the warmest on record as global average temperatures breached the 1.5C threshold. We’re already seeing the devastating consequences of climate change including here in Chungnam, a region that unfortunately faced fatal floods and landslides this summer. These events are a reminder of the devastating impact of extreme weather events on the everyday lives of people and communities worldwide.
In this international context, we see two trends emerging:
Firstly, the shift from commitment to delivery. A few years ago, headlines focused on national commitments and ambitious net zero targets. Fast-forward to 2024, and it’s all about action. Governments, businesses, and communities are under pressure to turn their promises into concrete actions and implementing plans, with greater accountability demanded from all sides.
The second trend highlights the crucial role of subnational governments, which have become a cornerstone of progress. Cities, regions, and local governments are increasingly recognised as drivers of ambitious climate innovation. In many cases, they are leading the charge, setting bold targets, implementing green policies, and testing the solutions that others can replicate. In the UK, for example, the Government of Wales has reduced the amount of municipal waste going to landfill from 95% in 1999 to just 1.6% today. This led to a 75% drop in methane emissions from landfill in 25 years.
But the missing piece in these two trends is the fact that subnational governments can’t do it without their national counterparts. Strong partnerships with national governments are absolutely essential if we want to scale up solutions quickly and achieve long-term climate goals.
Networks like the Under2 Coalition, of which Governor Kim is the Asia-Pacific Co-chair, with over 180 state, regional and provincial governments globally, are prime examples of how local leaders can drive momentum on the international stage with events like this. Combined, our power is incredible - if all the subnational governments in the Under2 Coalition were a country, they would make up the fourth largest economy in the world—demonstrating their immense potential to drive change at scale. All we need to do now, is claim our place.
Helen Clarkson, CEO of Climate Group speaks at the Opening Ceremony of the International Conference of Carbon Neutrality
That is why we’re proud to have leading provinces such as Chungcheongnam-Do, Jeju and Gyeonggi-do in South Korea as members of the Under2 Coalition, leading efforts to accelerate a just transition from fossil fuels, building resilience to climate impacts and implementing bold policies to reduce emissions and transform our economies.
National governments provide the frameworks, resources, and policy alignment that subnationals need to thrive. Meanwhile, local governments offer real-world insights and innovative approaches that can influence and strengthen national strategies. This symbiotic relationship is crucial if we are to meet the targets of the Paris Agreement and limit global warming to 1.5.
The Welsh success on methane was supported by national policy – by instituting a progressive landfill tax, the UK Government helped subnational governments across the country raise the finance needed to invest in energy recovery, recycling and other vital policies.
We are at a crossroads. The world needs decisive, coordinated action if we are to meet the climate challenge. Subnational governments will continue to be incubators of climate solutions, and through strong partnerships—both with national governments and globally—will we see the transformative change the planet so desperately needs
This is why, we have launched a Global To-Do List on climate.
We’ve identified seven concrete actions governments and businesses can start acting, collaborating and partnering now
These will see results within the next 12 months. From unleashing renewables, and setting a 5% energy efficiency target, to building a global agency that monitors methane and taxing oil and gas companies to fund the transition, these actions are not just goals—they are essential to get us on track for the 2030 climate targets.
I will stop here, and let the Global To-Do List speak for itself. I look forward to hearing what immediate and concrete action you all can take to drive change, fast.
Thank you