Gov. Schwarzenegger to Promote California's Leading Green Policies at UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen

Press Release

Highlights Importance of Subnational Government Action

To highlight California's leadership in combating climate change and encourage action at all levels of government, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger will travel to Copenhagen next week to participate in the United Nations (UN) Climate Change Conference. At the conference, the Governor will meet with officials, leaders and delegates to discuss how California has successfully led the nation and the world in enacting policies to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions, advance clean energy and fuels and create green jobs.

"In California, we've shown that it is not only possible to fight climate change at the subnational level, we've proven that a subnational government has the power to drive change across the nation and the world," said Governor Schwarzenegger. "As our state has become a world leader in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, promoting clean energy and creating green jobs, I have seen the power firsthand that cities, states and other regional governments carry in influencing and creating the new ideas that spur clean innovation. And, we are seeing our nation, other parts of the world and the private-sector respond to this power. We are beginning one of history's great transitions -- the transition to a new green economic foundation for the 21st century and beyond -- and I hope all of the leaders and delegates at Copenhagen will join us in this brighter, more sustainable future."

On Tuesday, December 15, a day focused on subnational government action at the conference, the Governor will address delegates from over 190 countries to highlight leading actions taken by California to fight climate change. Using California as an example of a subnational government that has successfully taken action, the Governor will urge the international community, especially regional and local leaders from around the world, to commit to fighting climate change. The Governor is scheduled to participate in the conference from Monday, December 14 to Wednesday, December 16.

Building upon California's worldwide leadership on climate change, members of the Governor's Administration will also participate in the Climate Change Conference to discuss the state's subnational actions to end our dependence on oil, grow green jobs in California, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and protect the environment. California Environmental Protection Agency Secretary Linda Adams, California Air Resources Board Chairman Mary Nichols, California Natural Resources Agency Secretary Mike Chrisman and California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary A.G. Kawamura will all participate in climate discussions and promote California-made technology solutions in the second week of the Copenhagen conference. Among other activities to discuss and further California's leadership, these state officials will: speak and moderate panel discussions related to California policies and programs; meet with governors and ministers from Africa, China, Brazil, Canada and Mexico; meet with Obama Administration officials to discuss climate solutions and other California-specific issues; meet with key members of Congress to urge adoption of federal climate legislation based upon California's model; meet with Oxfam to discuss climate change adaptation efforts globally, in addition to financing mitigation efforts for developing countries; meet with the UN Foundation to talk about agricultural and climate change issues; meet with the Red Cross to discuss the global food supply; participate in meetings with national and subnational leaders regarding new regional cooperative partnerships; meet with leaders from Indonesia to talk about future collaboration on forestry and ocean adaptation strategies; meet with the Danish Minister of the Environment to discuss green chemistry; meet with members of the Western Climate Initiative to discuss ongoing progress in developing a regional cap-and-trade program and complementary measures; and, meet with members of the International Carbon Action Partnership to discuss ongoing progress in developing shared technical standards for reporting emissions.

Governor Schwarzenegger has worked to bring world leaders together at all government levels to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, create a healthier environment and build green economies. Earlier this year, the Governor and UN officials welcomed more than 70 states, provinces and countries to the Governors' Global Climate Summit 2 in Los Angeles. The summit was the largest gathering of regional leaders focused on climate solutions and participants worked to develop cooperative partnerships and promote collaborative actions needed to build green economies and fight global climate change. At the conclusion of the summit, Governor Schwarzenegger joined 30 global leaders in signing a declaration committing all to work together to pursue clean transportation and mobility, support national climate change legislation, include forests in climate policy development, acknowledge the need for adaptation efforts and recognize the role of subnational governments in climate change discussions and actions.

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