The UK is working with US states like Florida, California and Virginia to cut carbon emissions and increase their alternative energy sources.

Commitment to renewable resources

High on the UK's climate change agenda is a commitment to renewable resources such as solar and wind, as well as a search for alternative energy like ethanol and hydrogen. 

The UK has been working locally with the state governments to help them with scientific and business exchanges on renewable energy.

So when Florida Governor Charlie Crist signed up to the new carbon emission cuts, he also signed a partnership agreement with the United Kingdom to promote joint action to broaden the Kyoto Protocol.  

The Foreign Secretary's special representative on climate change, Dr John Ashton, signed the agreement for the UK government. "In the end, what the United States does collectively is going to be a very powerful shaping force in the global effort," he said.

Exchange of delegations

The state will exchange delegations with the UK to share public policy experiences and science and technology on renewable energy sources and energy efficiency.

Keith Allan, the British consul general for Florida, says that although the ultimate goal is national action, the UK has been strongly encouraging state actions in the US and offering help to those interested.

Progress and developments

As well as a joint renewable energy conference, UK advisors will be meeting Florida government officials to discuss progress and developments. There will also be collaboration between Florida and UK academic institutions to advance wind-turbine research.

Crist says he believes that Florida, with its nearly 2,000 kilometre coastline, is especially vulnerable to climate change impacts such as rising sea level, storm surges and hurricane strikes, which could severely threaten its economy, and so should be a leader in taking action.

California agreement

Mr Crist was joined at the Florida signing by Arnold Schwarzenegger, Governor of California, who a year ago signed a similar climate change agreement with former UK prime minister, Tony Blair.

The Californian agreement pledged to work towards an international system of carbon trading to reduce the emissions believed to cause climate change.

It became the first state with a legally binding plan in place by September 2006, at which stage several other states already had plans in place or in development that included ambitious emissions reduction goals.

Virginia agreement

British Ambassador to the United States Nigel Sheinwald and Virginia Governor Timothy Kaine announced a "Climate Change Action Agreement" on 12 February 2009 that commits Virginia and the UK to joint efforts to combat the effects of climate change and developing a more climate-friendly economy.

• Share renewable energy experience, with a particular focus on further uses of offshore wind, wave, tidal and current power and waste-to-energy technologies;
• Exchange scientific personnel, expertise and data on the effects of climate change on agriculture, natural resources, environmental quality and public health;
• Discuss best practice on carbon markets and compatibility of design, to facilitate the development of international carbon markets;
• Look for trade opportunities in renewable and other energy technologies;
• Raise public awareness of the effects of climate change.