SACRAMENTO – Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. today welcomed Armenia to the Under2 Coalition – the global pact of cities, states and countries committed to limiting the increase in global average temperature to below 2 degrees Celsius, the level of potentially catastrophic consequences.
“This is a worldwide movement that can’t be stopped,” said Governor Brown. “California welcomes Armenia to this growing coalition and together, we will continue to drive the change that will get us to the climate goals we have to reach.”
With the addition of Armenia, the Under2 Coalition now includes 188 jurisdictions on six continents that collectively represent more than 1.2 billion people and $28.9 trillion GDP – equivalent to over 16 percent of the global population and 39 percent of the global economy. The coalition, formed in 2015 by the states of California and Baden-Württemberg, Germany to mobilize and galvanize bold climate action in the lead up to COP 21, pledges to limit greenhouse gas emissions to 2 tons per capita or 80 to 95 percent below 1990 levels by 2050.
“Armenia is pleased to endorse and express support to sovereign nations and regional governments of the world united by the Under2 Coalition. We commend the efforts by our partner – the State of California and the Governor Brown, in building this remarkable coalition of governments and peoples concerned about our planet’s future,” said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for International Economic Integration and Reforms Gabrielyan.
Armenia signed on to the Under2 Coalition today during a meeting between Governor Brown and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for International Economic Integration and Reforms Gabrielyan, becoming the 18th nation to join.
California’s Climate Leadership
Governor Brown, who was named Special Advisor for States and Regions by the president of this year’s United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 23), continues to build strong coalitions of partners committed to curbing carbon pollution in both the United States through the U.S. Climate Alliance and around the globe with the Under2 Coalition. The Governor has also launched America’s Pledge on climate change with Michael Bloomberg to help compile and quantify the actions of states, cities and businesses in the U.S. to drive down emissions. In September 2018, the State of California will convene the Global Climate Action Summit in San Francisco, where representatives from subnational governments, businesses and civil society will gather with the direct goal of supporting the Paris Agreement. Next month, the Governor will take part in a number of events in Europe focused on fighting global warming, including a climate symposium organized by the Vatican and COP 23 in Bonn, Germany.
Last month, Governor Brown signed an agreement with the leaders of Quebec and Ontario to officially integrate their cap-and-trade programs. This followed a week of events and meetings tied to Climate Week NYC, the Yale Climate Conference and the UN General Assembly, during which the Governor met with the UN Secretary-General, opened Climate Week NYC 2017 and discussed subnational climate action from governments and the business community at events with other global leaders.
Earlier this year, Governor Brown signed landmark legislation that extends and improves the state’s world-leading cap-and-trade program and establishes a groundbreaking program to measure and combat air pollution at the neighborhood level. In recent years, Governor Brown has signed legislation establishing the most ambitious greenhouse gas emission reduction targets in North America; setting the nation’s toughest restrictions on destructive super pollutants; directing cap-and-trade funds to greenhouse gas reducing programs which benefit disadvantaged communities, support clean transportation and protect natural ecosystems; and requiring the state to generate half of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030 and double the rate of energy efficiency savings in buildings.
More information about the Under2 Coalition can be found at www.under2MOU.org.
Photo caption:
1) Governor Brown and Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia and Minister for International Economic Integration and Reforms Vache Gabrielyan.
Photo credit: Joe McHugh, California Highway Patrol. For a high-resolution copy of this photo, contact Danella Debel at Danella.Debel@gov.ca.gov.