States and Regions
State and regional governments have an exciting and important role to plan in our transition to a low carbon future.
The United Nations Development Program estimates that 50‐80 per cent of actions required to implement a global deal happen at the subnational level of government. This is because these governments are responsible for important policy areas such as the generation, supply and distribution of electricity, the regulation of the built environment, waste management, transport and land‐use planning.
In 2005 The Climate Group teamed up with the States of Quebec and Manitoba to hold the first Climate Leaders Summit. From this event came the Montreal Declaration of Federated States and Regions, signed by subnational governments from around the world committed to setting targets and implementing climate change actions in their own jurisdictions.
Sub-national leadership on climate change is not only generating much needed emissions reductions now, but is also having a valuable political ripple effect. The success of policies trialled at this level gives confidence to national governments to emulate them. Based on their positive experience, subnational governments are calling on national governments to be party to an ambitious global deal.
The Climate Group is dedicated to accelerating action by subnational governments to address climate change. To learn more about our members’ leading actions browse our interactive Climate Policy Map or view our Climate Leaders Brochure and Slideshow of Leading Actions by State and Regional Governments.
Advancing Government Action
The Climate Group acts as a catalyst for leading state and regional governments to reduce emissions and supports their transformation to a low carbon economy.
We’re focused on action.
- Our events bring together heads of government and business leaders from more than 60 states, regions and provinces worldwide. We use these events to foster and showcase new commitments to leading on the low carbon economy. And we measure progress on these same commitments each year at the Climate Leaders Summit held during each COP.
- Building on the Montreal Declaration, subnational governments made further commitments in the 2008 Poznan Statement of Action at COP14 to show what they would achieve leading up to Copenhagen. At COP15 more than 60 state and regional governments met and delivered the Copenhagen Statement.
- We run technology programs where governments work with business to advance low carbon technologies, such as electric vehicles and LEDs. We share latest policy innovations and actions in renewable energy, energy efficiency clean transport and land-use. Our Climate Policy Map is used to track policies and actions by state and regional governments around the world.
- Together with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and other regional networks, we're helping developed and developing country regions partner together to share resources and advance climate plans and actions in developing countries.
Leading Actions
States and regions across our network are already leading action on climate change. They're pioneering the policies and creating the incentives that are key to unlocking the low carbon economy.
View by Action
Click on the below to see how states and regions are leading actions on:
Updates
View by State/Region
Here's the latest news from our network of state and regional climate leaders.
Recent events
April 20, 2010 3rd World Summit of Regions on Climate Change
March 4, 2010 The Paris Statement: Innovation and the green economy in Europe after Copenhagen
Dec 15, 2009 Subnational governments unveil major climate actions at COP15
Dec 15, 2009 Legions of regions rally to set world on clean-tech pathway ahead of global climate deal
Dec 15, 2009 The 2009 Climate Leaders Summit at COP15
Dec 12, 2008 Québec's Minister of Environment Beauchamp addresses
the Plenery of COP14
Dec 10, 2008 State
and regional governments unite, commit to step up low carbon action for
Copenhagen
Nov 9, 2009 First ever meeting of all Australian premiers, business leaders on climate change
Nov 5, 2009 Queensland Climate Summit
Nov 5, 2009 Business, government leaders discuss "Implementing Copenhagen"
Sept 25, 2009 We need all levels of government behind a deal" says Quebec Premier at Climate Week NYC
April 1, 2009 European and African regions commit to strengthen cooperation on climate change
News from our network
Dec 18, 2009 "Trail-blazer" Arnold Schwarzenegger wins first annual climate award for leadership
Dec 16, 2009 Sao Paulo, Wales, South Holland and Bavaria join The Climate Group
Dec 16, 2009 North-South regional partnerships yield climate, economic benefits
Nov 1, 2009 New South Wales' Business Guide to the Low Carbon Economy
Oct 15, 2009 Ile-de-France (F) joins the UNDP, The Climate Group to confront the climate change challenge
Sept 21, 2009 Financial Times: Meetings are global but action is local
June 11, 2009 States & Regions Programme garners support for UN recognition of sub-national action
May 24, 2009 UNDP and The Climate Group partner to promote regional action on climate change
Mar 12, 2009 Ontario unveils new feed-in tariff
Feb 24, 2009 NRW to become model region for electric transport
Feb 21, 2009 Gov. Schwarzenegger meets with Obama Administration officials on climate change
