8 November, Glasgow: Three leading subnational governments have been hailed winners of the inaugural Leadership Awards of the Under2 Coalition – the largest global network of states and regions committed to climate action.
In a ceremony hosted by Rt Hon Nicola Sturgeon MSP, First Minister of Scotland and European co-chair of the Under2 Coalition, at Stirling Castle, the winners were awarded for pushing the boundaries of what can be achieved for the climate at a subnational level. They are:
- British Columbia (Canada) - Creative Climate Solutions
- Maharashtra (India) - Inspiring Regional Leadership
- Québec (Canada) - Climate Partnerships
“Congratulations to the winners of our inaugural Under2 Coalition Leadership Awards. Your commitment to action and doing more, faster, is setting an outstanding example for governments at all levels to follow.
“This is the decade when governments everywhere need to raise their ambition and put plans into action. These three awards were specifically chosen to recognise states and regions that are thinking in a different way about the climate emergency and using their energy to inspire others to do more. Up to 2030 – and beyond – this leadership will be essential.”
“Congratulations to the winners of our inaugural Under2 Coalition Leadership Awards. Your commitment to action and doing more, faster, is setting an outstanding example for governments at all levels to follow.
“This is the decade when governments everywhere need to raise their ambition and put plans into action. These three awards were specifically chosen to recognise states and regions that are thinking in a different way about the climate emergency and using their energy to inspire others to do more. Up to 2030 – and beyond – this leadership will be essential.”
The winners were chosen by an esteemed judging panel selected from across the climate sector, with a wealth of first-hand experience of championing climate action:
- Nigel Topping and Gonzalo Muñoz, UN High Level Climate Action Champions
- Helen Clarkson, CEO of Climate Group
- Aimee Barnes, Founder of Hau Nani Partners
- Ken Alex, Director of Project Climate at UC Berkeley
- Franz Untersteller, Former Environment Minister of Baden-Württemberg and Global Ambassador of the Under2 Coalition.
26 award entries were submitted in total across three categories: Inspiring Regional Leadership, Climate Partnerships, and Creative Climate Solutions. A winner was selected for each category with the judges giving high commendations to Pernambuco (Brazil), Jalisco (Mexico), Pacific Coast Collaborative, Victoria (Australia) and Basque Country (Spain).
Benoit Charette, Minister of the Environment and the Fight Against Climate Change of Québec, said: “Québec has taken significant steps in recent years to address climate change, including its Plan 2030 for a Green Economy, the electrification of its transportation, its membership in the Beyond Oil & Gas Alliance and the announcement of its withdrawal from oil and gas exploration and development.
“Today, I am honoured that the Under2 Coalition recognizes Québec’s leadership in building partnerships. The fight against climate change requires collective and concerted action. I firmly believe that by joining forces, we can act more quickly and effectively to build a low-carbon, resilient and sustainable global economy. That's why Québec is reaching out to all those who share its desire to be part of the solution.”
The Under2 Coalition continued its celebration of state and regional climate leadership yesterday, by hosting its annual General Assembly on the sidelines of COP26. The full day event brought together over 250 representatives from Under2 Coalition member governments with 30 government leaders, including Rt Hon Nicola Sturgeon MSP, First Minister of Scotland, taking to the stage to demonstrate their actions and commitments and highlight the importance of non-state actors in tackling the climate crisis.