British Columbia is accepting an invitation to renew its membership with the Climate Group’s States and Regions Alliance, ahead of the international climate negotiations at the 21st Conference of the Parties (COP 21) in Paris, France next month.

As part of this international network, British Columbia is now one of 31 subnational governments working together to share expertise, and showcase the impact of strong climate change actions from around the world.

The Province’s success in driving down greenhouse gas emissions while growing a strong economy, as well as the next suite of climate actions to be contained within the upcoming Climate Leadership Plan will be further promoted through this global alliance.

In addition to B.C.’s membership with the States and Regions Alliance, B.C. is also advocating for strong and balanced climate action through its partnerships in:

• The Pacific Coast Collaborative Action Plan on Climate and Energy with California, Oregon and Washington;
• The World Bank’s Carbon Pricing Leadership Coalition; and
• The Under 2 MOU, to which B.C. was a founding signatory with the Pacific Coast Collaborative partners, Ontario and several other sub-national governments.

The Province is also participating in the Climate Group’s Compact of States and Regions, signed at COP 20 in Lima, Peru, last December.

British Columbia will be represented by Premier Christy Clark and Environment Minister Mary Polak at COP 21.

Quotes:

Mary Polak, Minister of Environment –

“Nations are going to Paris this December to lay out a new global agreement to do their part to avoid the most harmful impacts of climate change. Around the world, leading sub-national governments like B. C. are already taking strong action to tackle climate change.

“Our membership with the Climate Group’s States and Regions Alliance will serve as an effective platform to work together to reinforce the message that, to meet the commitments made in Paris, leaders can look to sub-nationals like B.C. and our track record of climate action success.”

Libby Ferguson, States and Regions director, The Climate Group –

“We’re delighted to have British Columbia back on board our internationally recognized States and Regions Alliance, one week before the global climate talks in Paris. This year British Columbia has committed to long-term decarbonization through the Under 2 MOU and has reported its ambitious climate actions to the Compact of States and Regions.

“We look forward to working with the pioneering government and its refreshed ambition to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, steam ahead with climate initiatives and create green jobs for its people.”

Quick Facts:

• The Climate Group’s States and Regions Alliance was created in 2005 with the signing of the Montreal Declaration of Federated States and Regions.
• British Columbia was the first jurisdiction in North America to introduce a broad-based, revenue-neutral carbon tax, and to have a carbon-neutral public sector.
• B.C. has achieved carbon neutrality across its provincial public sector for the fifth consecutive year.

Learn More:

For more information on the Climate Group’s States and Regions Alliance, please visit: www.theclimategroup.org/what-we-do/programs/states-and-regions/

Learn more about B.C.’s climate actions at: www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/environment/climate-change

Watch for a second round of public engagement on B.C.’s new Climate Leadership Plan in the coming weeks.

For more information visit: http://engage.gov.bc.ca/climateleadership