Global Climate Solutions Declaration
October 2, 2009

The magnitude and urgency of the challenges in stabilizing and reducing atmospheric concentrations of greenhouse gases and adapting to climate change will require an unprecedented level of cooperation and collaboration among all levels of government around the world. We recognize the need to both reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and to adapt to current and future impacts of climate change.

We also recognize that our efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change can strengthen global, national, and subnational economies. These efforts enhance energy security, increase energy efficiency, and create new industries and good jobs that stimulate diverse, decentralized, and sustainable economic activity.

Affirmation of the Goals of the 2008 Global Climate Solutions Declaration

On November 19, 2008, thirty-one international representatives signed the Global Climate Solutions Declaration in Los Angeles, California. The Declaration focused on fostering collaborative subnational efforts to address climate change by:

- Reducing greenhouse gas emissions in sectors with a high potential for environmental and economic benefits;

- Undertaking actions that are most suited to providing mutually beneficial outcomes to the signatories;

- Pursuing opportunities that complement existing efforts;

- Scaling up investments in climate-friendly technologies and strategies;

- Growing economies and enhancing overall quality of life through technologies that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions;

- Focusing on research, development, and deployment activities;

- Fostering exchanges between researchers, educators, and students; and

- Accelerating capacity building for monitoring and reporting programs.

Today, October 2, 2009, we affirm our commitment to the goals and principles of the 2008 Global Climate Solutions Declaration, and further affirm:

Pursuit of Clean Transportation and Mobility

Transportation is one of the largest and fastest growing contributors to worldwide climate change emissions. Action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector is needed at both the national and subnational levels, including:

- Widespread development and use of zero and near-zero emitting vehicles and fuels to achieve the scale of greenhouse gas emissions reductions necessary and to ensure stability of the transportation fuels supply.

- A comprehensive policy approach that recognizes the interrelationship between vehicles and fuels, the benefits of complementary market-based and standards-based approaches, and the importance of public education and outreach to help ensure informed vehicle purchase decisions.

- Land use and transportation planning and financing that increases mobility choice and reduces emissions by providing a balance between housing, employment, and services and enables widespread access to transit, biking, and walking infrastructure.

- Research, development, and deployment activities that are prioritized to meet the near and long-term need for cleaner and more efficient transportation technologies.

We support the above strategies to address greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector. We believe that transportation systems and technologies must be designed and implemented in ways that enhance mobility while at the same time reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Support for National Climate Change Legislation

Efforts of national governments to address climate change are important in guiding global consensus to act. Recognizing the concept of differentiated responsibility, strong national policies are crucial to coordinated global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change. We support efforts throughout the world to enact national legislation that addresses climate change.

Developed countries must take strong steps to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and provide examples of global leadership. We believe that the United States must enact comprehensive climate change legislation during the current session of the U.S. Congress in order to put the world on a path to greenhouse gas stabilization.

Inclusion of Forests in Climate Policy

Deforestation accounts for 20% of global greenhouse gas emissions, more than the entire global transportation sector, but was excluded from the Kyoto Protocol. Actions to protect and restore forests must be a key component of climate protection. We therefore call upon all governments to advocate for the inclusion of mechanisms, such as Reduced Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation, within the global framework for combating climate change.

Need for Adaptation Efforts

Climate change is an immediate and long-term threat. Right now, climate change is affecting our food and water quality and supply, human health and well-being, and our valuable natural resources. The impacts of climate change are being felt in our cities, provinces, states, regions, and nations. The most vulnerable of our people are often the most adversely impacted.

The breadth and severity of impacts from climate change will continue for decades, even if our efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions were to be fully implemented tomorrow. The longer we wait to respond, the more difficult and costly it will be.

We support collaborative efforts to adapt to climate change including:

- Sharing plans to help people and nature survive the unavoidable adverse impacts of climate change;

- Advocating for a comprehensive role for adaptation in international climate policy under development by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC);

- Developing ecosystem-based adaptation strategies that increase resilience and protect natural resources that sustain life on earth; and

- Implementing comprehensive state and local adaptation policies and programs that protect the most at-risk individuals.

Recognition of the Role of Sub-National Governments

Current global efforts to address climate change focus on the ongoing negotiations under the UNFCCC. We recognize the important role of subnational governments in addressing the global challenges associated with climate change. We embrace the overarching principles of subnational engagement and support for the efforts of national governments which include:

- Developing a shared vision for global security and prosperity;

- Pursuing adaptation strategies to address current and future climate change;

- Mitigating greenhouse gas emissions;

- Supporting the use of finance mechanisms to address global warming; and

- Promoting technology transfer and capacity building agreements.

In the spirit of common and differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, we agree to work together in solidarity as cities, provinces, states, and regions and nations in developed and developing countries to craft our environmental, economic and social development policies. We agree to consider the impacts of climate change in our economic and social development policies.

We agree to rely on a territorial approach, which is a coordinated and collaborative approach within subnations and regions that is intended to increase effectiveness in combating and adapting to climate change.

We commit to work together to promote recognition of the role of subnational governments at the 15th UNFCCC Conference of Parties and in future international forums. We support negotiations leading toward international recognition of this role.

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