The second Governors’ Global Climate Summit concluded on Friday, 1 October.  The conference, hosted by California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in Los Angeles, brought together over 30 world leaders committed to working together to pursue clean transportation, support national climate change legislation and recognize the role of subnational governments in the discussions on the next global climate agreement being negotiated in Copenhagen this December.  Key speakers included Tony Blair, IPCC Chair Rajendra Pachauri, EPA head Lisa Jackson and Olav Kjørven, UNDP Development Policy Director.

Jane Davidson, Minister for the Environment, Sustainability and Housing in the Welsh Assembly Government, joined a number of other UK participants.  She participated in discussions on the role of subnational governments.  The Minister highlighted Wales' role as chair of regional government body Nrg4SD Network, partnering with communities in the developing world.  

“I think it is terribly important that we don’t get decisions taken by world leaders in a rhetorical sense that can’t be fully delivered at all levels of governments on the ground.  We know that somewhere between 50-80 percent of all the actions that will need to be carried out to tackle climate change will be carried out at that subnational level,” said Ms.Davidson.

Our colleague Jill Duggan from the Department for Energy and Climate Change chaired a panel discussion on carbon offsets and spoke on another panel on greenhouse gas emissions monitoring and reporting.

Several of our California Climate Champions, sponsored by British Council and the California Air Resources Board, participated in a panel to highlight the youth perspective on climate issues and how, as individuals, they have altered the climate discussion in their communities.  The Climate Champions are a group of young adults who help to influence and educate their peers and the public.

View videos from the Governors' Global Climate Summit on our YouTube channel.

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