Inslee leads subnational governments reducing emissions at U.N. climate summit

||| FROM THE OFFICE OF GOVERNOR JAY INSLEE |||

GLASGOW, Scotland – Gov. Jay Inslee highlighted Washington state’s progress in the fight against climate change and challenged other national and subnational governments to commit to aggressive actions to slash carbon emissions as the disastrous effects of climate change become increasingly apparent.

Inslee met with regional leaders from around the world, as well as top federal officials like EPA Administrator Michael Regan and U.S. Deputy Secretary of Energy David Turk, highlighting the worsening impacts of climate change in the Pacific Northwest as a call for urgent action on cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

A coalition of 68 state, regional and city governments led by Gov. Jay Inslee on Sunday affirmed their urgent commitment to addressing the climate crisis by signing a range of emissions-slashing actions ahead of 2030. Their actions were part of a global call from local and regional governments in recognition of the increased impacts of climate change and their critical role in addressing it.

Inslee announced an executive order to fully electrify Washington state’s public fleets and transition to a 100% zero-emission light duty fleet by 2035, as well as 100% zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty state fleets by 2040.

Convening at COP26, governments from the Under2 Coalition, U.S. Climate Alliance and C40 acknowledged the need to move beyond lofty goals and focus on immediate actions to reach them in order to keep global temperature rises to 1.5 degrees. This means taking measures across all sectors to drive down emissions and protect biodiversity.

The range of actions announced covers inter-governmental cooperation and planning; built environment; clean transportation; energy; environmental justice; nature-based solutions; waste; and agriculture.

“We have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to effectively mitigate climate change. The actions we take in the next five years will determine the fate of our species. I’m proud to stand with this global coalition of governors and mayors to go beyond pledges,” Inslee said. “Together, we are charting a path to make tangible, meaningful progress to cut greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030 and get to net-zero by 2050. Now is the time for leaders to buckle down and get it done.”

Among the commitments are pledges to require 100% of new car sales be zero-emission vehicles beginning 2035 and 100% zero-carbon energy by 2045, as well as ensuring 100% net zero operating emissions from new building construction by 2030. Other commitments include conserving at least 30% of land and coastal waters by 2030 and ensuring that at least 40% of expenditures benefit overburdened communities and vulnerable populations.

A recent United Nations report showed that with current emissions projections, the world should be prepared for a temperature rise of about 2.7°C by the end of the century. The consequences of this rise would be catastrophic, and again underline the need for short-term – as well as long term – commitments. Although today’s pledges are an important step, it is clear that more needs to be done at all levels to ensure genuine progress on climate change.

Inslee also joined other leaders from the Pacific Coast Collaborative for the launch of the Low Carbon Construction Task Force.

“Washington and the PCC region are leaders in demonstrating how strategies to reduce climate pollution also create good jobs and a strong economy,” Inslee said. “Using the economic muscle of our region to spur rapid advances in the development and use of low carbon building materials will help us go further and faster on reducing carbon pollution, and builds on the strengths of our manufacturing sector, commitment to clean electricity, and skilled workforce.”

VIDEO: Learn more about PCC’s work and hear from state and regional leaders.