The Compact of States and Regions, a reporting mechanism for leading state and regional governments to submit climate targets, today announced plans to reduce their emissions by 12.4 GtC02e by 2030 greater than China’s current annual output.The commitments come in the initiative’s first ‘Disclosure Report’, unveiled at the UNFCCC’s COP21 negotiations.
Launched in September 2014 during Climate Week NYC with UN backing, the Compact tracks and reports progress by participating governments. It currently has the support of 44 states and regions together representing 325 million people and over US$10.5 trillion in GDP – one eighth of the global economy. The targets in place will result in cumulative emission reductions of:
– 12.4 GtCO2e by 2030 (relative to ‘business as usual) – more than the combined GHG emissions of the US and EU, and greater than China’s emissions in 2012.
– 47.4 GtCO2e by 2050 – equal to total world GHG emissions in 2012.
In addition to these cumulative emissions savings, by 2050 Compact governments from both developed and developing nations will have reduced their collective emissions by almost 55% in absolute terms. The report also revealed both near and long term goals, with almost half of reporting governments having already set 2050 goals. A majority of these aim for reductions of more than 70% below base-year emissions.The Compact was launched at last year’s 2014 Climate Summit hosted by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to provide a transparent, global reporting mechanism to encourage ambition and hold sub-national governments to account.
Speaking on the report at COP21, the Secretary-General said: “The actions of state and regional governments are essential for achieving the new 2030 sustainable development agenda. They are close to their citizens and are uniquely placed to work with national and local governments to amplify the efforts that are needed to reduce emissions and build climate resilience.”
Speaking alongside the Secretary-General in Paris, Premier Jay Weatherill of South Australia said: “Leadership from state and regional governments is needed now more than ever. We know the national climate plans submitted ahead of the Paris talks – the Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs) – are not sufficient to limit global temperature rise to below two degrees Celsius. But states, provinces and regions can support this global effort by raising our own levels of ambition.”
“We have already been at the forefront of climate leadership for many years, setting ambitious climate and clean energy targets, and developing new and innovative policy responses. If we are already having this impact with 44 reporting governments, imagine what we can do with more.”The Compact commitments are also included in the Non-state Actor Zone for Climate Action (NAZCA) platform, the online tool developed by the United Nations with the governments of France and Peru for COP21. Through NAZCA, businesses, cities, regions and investors have already showcased over 10,000 climate initiatives.
In January, the Compact of States and Regions will also formally start a partnership with the Compact of Mayors – a similar initiative working with mayors and city officials. The partnership, announced at this year’s Climate Week NYC, will further incentivize cities, states and regions to continue their commitment to ambitious climate targets, transparency and progress.
The figures in today’s announcement are based on climate data reported by 44 sub-national governments across 18 countries and 6 continents. For a full list of governments who have submitted data, and to see our visual explaining the results, click here.As a critical part of the post-Paris agenda of action by Non-State Actors, all state and regional governments are invited to join the Compact and begin reporting in 2016.The Compact of States and Regions is a partnership between The Climate Group, CDP, R20 and nrg4SD, supported by the UN, Climate-KIC, Center for the New Energy Economy (CNEE), ICLEI and ENCORE.
