Nicola Sturgeon signs climate change agreement with California

Nicola Sturgeon has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Scotland and the US state of California, setting out how the two can work together to reduce emissions and mitigate the effects of climate change.

The First Minister signed the ‘Under2 MoU’, which pledges Scotland and California to share ideas and best practices on how we have reduced greenhouse gases and expanded renewable energy development, during a trip to the US.

The two administrations also agreed to provide expert staff support to other jurisdictions and to work together to raise international attention to the actions of climate leaders at a subnational level around the globe.

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Sturgeon said: “Scotland is making huge progress in delivering our climate change ambitions, but we are not complacent and there is still much to achieve.

“[The] meeting strengthened our relationship with the Government of California and I’m confident we can work together to achieve the targets set out by the Under2 MoU.

“We have also offered to help the Under2 Coalition, representing over one billion people, to prepare for a major summit in 2018 which will bring together the public and private sectors, alongside NGOs, to build support and action aimed at persuading national governments to increase their efforts to tackle climate change, in what will be an important year for taking stock against progress of the Paris Agreement.”

The MoU says California and Scotland agree there are “significant economic benefits in jobs, investment, growth and trade of clean energy and the low carbon economy from taking swift action to combat climate change”, and that not doing so “will cost future generations dearly.”

WWF's US senior vice president of climate change and energy, Lou Leonard, said: “It is good to see climate action high on the agenda of Scotland's first minister on her trip to the United States. This is a strong reminder that climate change is a priority for our allies around the world.

“Over the years, California and Scotland have inspired the world by setting bold targets and investing in a clean economy. Now both governments are looking to collectively up their game. To successfully address the climate challenge, it is essential that the leading players work together to do even more.”