Baku, Azerbaijan – Subnational leaders vow to double down on their climate action ahead of the COP29 opening ceremony today, in light of the US elections and critical finance talks.
Speaking from COP29 in Baku, Climate Group’s Director of the Under2 and Subnational Governments, Nehmat Kaur said:
“With the recent re-election of Trump, states and regions are critical to global climate leadership and action. When Trump first withdrew from the Paris Agreement, it was states – such as California – that continued to be the vanguard of climate action and push ahead.”
“It’s essential states are part of setting and delivering ambitious and investable NDCs. States are not only at the front lines of climate impact but are also the first responders in climate emergencies. Developing countries are the hardest hit. That’s why COP29 needs to deliver a strong climate finance target – the New Collective Quantified Goal (NCQG) – to help finance their climate action.”
“NDCs must meet the scale of the climate change crisis” Kaur continued:
“We’ve seen catastrophic events this year from Spain to Nepal, with many regions seeing irreversible climate change. The cost of our inaction today will cost us far more than the cost of our action, if we don’t move fast.”
While the world looks for nations to fill the likely vacuum after the US elections like a game of scramble, states and regions haven’t stopped moving forward. They’re here, greening their budgets, pledging to methane emission reductions, powering past coal, and working with businesses to create green jobs, Climate Group said. That’s why the ninth Under2 General Assembly, bringing together subnational governments this Thursday, is crucial. Under2 members represent over half of the world’s GDP with the collective power to shape the narrative at COP29.”
Helen Clarkson, CEO Climate Group, said:
“Despite the uncertainty for the climate caused by the US elections, subnational leaders from states and regions remain committed. They'll be at COP29 to push global ambition and ensure that recent shifts in geopolitics don't bring the climate fight to a halt. We need to speed up and push for greater impact, now.”
Thekla Walker MdL, Minister of the Environment, Climate Protection and the Energy Sector in Baden-Wuerttemberg, said:
“As the world gathers at COP29 to tackle the pressing issue of climate change, it is essential to highlight the significance of collaboration at the subnational level – especially in these tremendously challenging times that we experience right now. The Under2 Coalition exemplifies how regions, states, and provinces can unite to drive ambitious climate action. This collective effort not only accelerates the transition to a climate-neutral economy but also ensures that diverse perspectives and unique regional challenges are addressed. The successful projects and activities of the Under2 Coalition underscore the power of local leadership in shaping a sustainable global future for all.”
Speaking at the Local Government and Municipal Authority (LGMA) press conference this morning, California Secretary for Natural Resources, Wade Crowfoot said:
“We subnational governments need to be seen and need to be treated as the effective partners that we are delivering on our global climate goals. That's why I'm so excited to be a member of the LGMA and the Under2 Coalition, which is the largest coalition of subnational governments in the world.”
Notes to Editors
Governor and ministers will convene this week for the ninth Under2 General Assembly (invite only)
For media requests please contact: Vanessa Power – vpower@climategroup.org or +44 7752403008
Spokespeople available in Baku
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Helen Clarkson, OBE, CEO, Climate Group
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Champa Patel, Executive Director for Governments and Policy, Climate Group
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Nehmat Kaur, Director of the Under2 and Subnational Governments, Climate Group
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Andrew Forth, Head of policy and advocacy, Climate Group
Climate Group events at COP29
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Wednesday 13th November (6:30-8:00PM, Side event 6, Blue Zone)
"Seizing the Moment to Ratchet Net Zero Ambition" - This side event, organised by the Net Zero Tracker consortium and the Under2 Coalition (Climate Group), will discuss the global net zero status, reflecting on the UNSG’s Net Zero Progress report, with a focus on subnational governments.
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Thursday 14th November (3:00-4:15 PM, CDRI Pavilion)
"The UNHCR Climate Resilience Fund: Investing in Climate-Resilient Infrastructure for Displaced Communities.”
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Friday 15th November (12:30-1:45PM, South Africa Pavilion: Pavilion C14, Blue Zone. Area E)
‘’Unpacking South Africa's Renewable Electricity Landscape – the business case for investing in renewable energy’’
About the Under2 Coalition
The Under2 Coalition is the largest global network of states and regions committed to reaching net zero emissions by 2050. Climate Group acts as secretariat of the Under2 Coalition.
About Climate Group
Climate Group is an international non-profit, launched in 2004, with offices in London, Amsterdam, Beijing, New Delhi, and New York. Our mission is to drive climate action, fast. Our goal is a world of net zero carbon emissions by 2050, with greater prosperity for all. We do this by forming powerful networks of business and government, unlocking the power of collective action and scale to move whole systems such as energy, transport, industry, and food to a cleaner future. Together, we’re helping to shift global markets and policies towards faster reductions in carbon emissions.