U.S. States Take Leadership Role in Advancing Climate Action at COP24

Katowice, Poland – The Climate Registry (TCR) and the Climate Action Reserve hosted a bipartisan delegation of U.S. states at the 24th Conference of the Parties (COP24) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Katowice, Poland. States attending include California, Hawaii, Maryland, Massachusetts and Washington.

Over the course of several events that showcased state climate action and impact, three themes emerged:

• U.S. states are filling the climate leadership gap left by the federal government
• U.S. states are collaborating with each other and with other countries, cities and the business community to meet the carbon reduction targets laid out in the latest IPCC report
• U.S. states are experiencing economic transformation and growth as a result of their climate action and from clean energy and energy efficiency investments.

“Our global climate coalition and policy are too big to fail,” said Robert Hertzberg, California State Senator and Chairman of the State Senate Natural Resources and Water Committee. “The science is settled, the business interests are settled, and we will continue to build coalitions with governments around the world to advance the fight against climate change.”

“In California, we will continue to be a leader in climate action and policies, it’s part of our DNA,” said Bob Wieckowski, California State Senator and Chair of the Senate Environmental Quality Committee. “We are committed to cutting-edge technologies and to continuing to collaborate with businesses, universities and research institutions to ensure we reduce our emissions in line with the targets identified in the IPCC report. California has shown smart climate action creates jobs, strengthens our economy, and better prepares us for the future.”

“Climate change leads to more drought, fires and floods, threatens our health and wellbeing, and poses huge risks to our economy,” said Mary Nichols, Chair, California Air Resources Board. “We want to show the rest of the world that we can reduce emissions, make our state more climate resilient, and make our economy more prosperous and equitable. We will continue to work with businesses and other governments to carry on the fight against climate change.”

“We need a federal partner that is committed to climate change. US states, cities and others are committed to doing what we can to fill that void,” said Reed Schuler, Senior Policy Advisor to Governor Jay Inslee of Washington State. “Governor Inslee cochairs the U.S. Climate Alliance, which represents half the U.S. population and more than half of U.S. GDP, and together we have demonstrated that it is possible to reduce emissions while growing the economy at a rapid clip. We support climate action and we support our international partners in continuing to deepen that action.”

“Bipartisan environmental leadership, fueled by science and driven by urgency, is happening in Maryland and other states to deliver results when the Federal Government isn’t,” said Ben Grumbles, Maryland’s Secretary of the Environment. “Governor Larry Hogan is committed to reducing greenhouse gases, growing a cleaner and greener economy, and instilling a culture of preparedness and resiliency. The world also needs to hear that America’s Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, a thriving, bipartisan coalition of 9 states, is gaining ground and showing other states how to cut carbon pollution in half, while generating billions of dollars for cleaner energy and healthier communities.”

“We are a small state with big ambition, and we believe that big ambition leads to big action,” said Anukriti Hittle, Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Coordinator. “Climate change is front and center on our governor’s radar, and our Climate Change Commission – representing both executive and legislative branches of government – believes putting a price on carbon is the most effective single action that will achieve Hawaii’s ambitious goals. We will continue to promote ambitious, clean, equitable and resilient strategies.”

“Climate change poses a significant threat to all of us. Climate change also poses risks to insurers. As California’s insurance regulator, I required insurers to disclose their fossil fuel investments and I asked that they divest from thermal coal because of the significant risk thermal coal could become a stranded asset on the books of insurance companies as consumers, businesses, markets and governments transition away from thermal coal as a source of energy,” said California Insurance Commissioner Dave Jones. “The most recent results of our survey of U.S. insurers in California’s market show that more insurers are divesting or committing to divest some or all of their thermal coal holdings and are considering the climate-related transition risks to these investments. While there is still much more work to be done by US insurers in this regard, more are moving in the right direction. The California Department of Insurance is pleased to join the California delegation to COP 24. I strongly support California’s efforts to reduce climate change causing greenhouse gas emissions and to improve our resiliency in the face of climate change.”

“In the absence of federal action, US states have stepped up and accelerated meaningful climate action,” said Craig Ebert, President of the Climate Action Reserve. “States have enacted sensible, equitable, and economically beneficial climate policies, including raising ambitious climate targets, putting a price on carbon, investing in climate-smart infrastructure, and promoting thoughtful transportation and urban planning. States have been at the vanguard of what is possible, and of what must be done to create thriving communities and a prosperous future.”

“We have no time to waste in addressing climate change, so it’s tremendously gratifying to see that U.S. states are not backing away from the Paris Agreement commitments,” said Amy Holm, Director of Programs and Operations at The Climate Registry. “Through a variety of policy approaches such as transportation, buildings and green energy, states are showing the world that you can reduce carbon while simultaneously growing the economy.”

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About the CLIMATE ACTION RESERVE
The Climate Action Reserve is the most experienced, trusted and efficient offset registry to serve the carbon markets. With deep roots in California and a reach across North America, the Reserve encourages actions to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and works to ensure environmental benefit, integrity and transparency in market-based solutions to address global climate change. The Reserve program promotes immediate environmental and health benefits to local communities and brings credibility and value to the carbon market. The Climate Action Reserve is a private 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Los Angeles, California. For more information, please visit www.climateactionreserve.org.

About THE CLIMATE REGISTRY
The Climate Registry (TCR) is a non-profit organization governed by U.S. states and Canadian provinces and territories. TCR designs and operates voluntary and compliance GHG reporting programs globally, and assists organizations in measuring, reporting and verifying (MRV) the carbon in their operations in order to manage and reduce it. TCR also builds GHG MRV capacity in sub-national and national governments, and is spearheading innovative new projects such as the Water Energy Nexus Registry. Find out more at www.theclimateregistry.org and follow on Twitter @theclimatereg.

PRESS CONTACTS:

Alex Carr
[email protected]
1-778-384-8711

Jennifer Weiss
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1-213-891-6934

COP 24 Katowice

The Climate Action Reserve, in partnership with The Climate Registry, has led delegations of governors, senior government officials, business leaders, academics and other NGOs to the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) negotiations for almost a decade, beginning with COP 13 in Bali in 2006.

COP 24 marks the 24th session of the conference and is being held in Katowice, Poland from December 3-14, 2018. The Reserve’s joint delegation fosters collaboration among subnational entities and the private sector, increases thought-leadership on bold and far-reaching climate initiatives, and champions the enhancement of ambition in order to address the climate challenge.

Below is a listing of our delegation’s side events. Please join us in person if you will be in Katowice or follow our work through Facebook or Twitter.

Saturday, 8 December
Public-Private Cooperation Advancing Climate Ambition
2:00 pm – 3:00 pm | US Climate Action Center (Building E)

This session will highlight the efforts of business leaders to discuss critical steps for ensuring public-private cooperation in the fight against climate change.

Speakers:

Cathy Woollums, Senior Vice President and Chief Sustainability Officer, Berkshire Hathaway Energy
Ranyee Chiang, Technology Officer, Bay Area Air Quality Management District
Canadian federal government representative

Sunday, 9 December
North American Subnational Climate Action
2:30 pm – 3:30 pm | US Climate Action Center (Building E)

Subnational leaders from the US and Canada will discuss collaborative climate actions underway at the state, provincial, and regional levels, in order to help their countries meet and exceed their Paris commitments.

Speakers:

Senator Robert Hertzberg, California State Senate
Ben Grumbles, Secretary of the Environment, State of Maryland
Lauren Sanchez, International Policy Director, California Air Resources Board
Reed Schuler, Senior Policy Advisor to Governor Jay Inslee, State of Washington

Monday, 10 December
Official UN Side Event: Subnational Strategies in North America for Meeting Paris Commitments
11:30 am – 1:00 pm | Room: Bug (Area G)

North American leaders are implementing a variety of approaches to reduce GHGs. Session will discuss various policy approaches, such as carbon markets, transport electrification, and how policies can harmonize with other jurisdictions to foster a just transition to clean energy economies.

Speakers:

Mary Nichols, Chair, California Air Resources Board
George Heyman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, British Columbia
Ben Grumbles, Secretary of the Environment, State of Maryland
Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Canada (invited)
Juan Carlos Arredondo, Director of Climate Policy, SEMARNAT, Mexico

Increasing Climate Ambition Across the US
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm | US Climate Action Center (Building E)

This session will bring together US sub-national leaders (government) to highlight actions taken to date and to address steps being taken to advance climate ambition in light of the IPCC’s most recent scientific assessment.

Speakers:

Senator Robert Wieckowski, California State Senate
Reed Schuler, Senior Policy Advisor to Governor Jay Inslee, State of Washington
Anu Hittle, Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Coordinator

Delegation Press Conference
5:00 pm – 5:30 pm | Press Conference Room Katowice (Area F)

Speakers:

Senator Robert Wieckowski, California State Senate
Senator Robert Hertzberg, California State Senate
Anu Hittle, Hawaii Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Coordinator

The draft U.S. Forest Project Protocol (FPP) V5.0 is available for public review and comment. Proposed revisions to the protocol include the addition of a standardized baseline option for Improved Forest Management (IFM) projects, updated leakage values, a revised minimum verification schedule, and several other updates to enhance usability. Comments are due by December 14.

Join us for a webinar – COP 24: Advance Look at Subnational Action and Expectations for Katowice – November 29

Join us for a webinar introducing the recently updated Nitrogen Management Project Protocol (NMPP) Version 2.0 – November 28

Draft U.S. Forest Project Protocol Version 5.0 available for public comment – comments due December 14

Our updated Nitrogen Management Project Protocol Version 2.0 expands eligibility for offsets from improving nitrogen use efficiency in crop production to more crops & geographies

The Climate Action Reserve is exploring potential updates to its U.S. Landfill Project Protocol, which promotes emission reductions from the collection and destruction of landfill gas. Join us for a public scoping webinar on October 10.

First Mexico landfill project registered in the Reserve!

The Grass is Greener: Protecting Grasslands Enhances Soil Health, Reduces Greenhouse Gas Emissions, and Earns Carbon Offsets

PROWERS COUNTY, COLORADO – In partnership with Ducks Unlimited, Inc. (DU), the May Ranch in southeast Colorado has embarked on a mission to avoid greenhouse gas emissions on its grassland. Grasslands naturally absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) through photosynthesis and, with sustainable management and protection, can function as carbon sinks and reservoirs. When grasslands are disturbed (for example, through tillage), a significant portion of the soil carbon and biomass oxidizes and decays, releasing CO2 back into the atmosphere. By protecting grassland from conversion to cropland, the May Ranch Avoided Grassland Conversion Project is avoiding loss of soil carbon and earning offset credits for the emissions reductions achieved. During December 2016 – December 2017, the project achieved 10,591 metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions reductions. The project area must then be monitored and protected for at least 100 years following every credit issuance.

Under the Climate Action Reserve’s Grassland Project Protocol, the grassland project must meet strict eligibility requirements. To meet suitability requirements, the grassland must be located on land where the particular combination of geography and associated climate, soil productivity, and prior land use history would make it suitable for cropping and result in new emissions. The financial incentive to plow historic grasslands also has to be present. Lastly, the ability to ensure long-term permanence of the below-ground carbon reserves must be met, which in this case was done with a conservation easement.

Developed by DU, the May Ranch grassland offset project protects 14,546 acres of native grassland from conversion to cropland in perpetuity. The May Ranch is a fourth-generation working cattle ranch that has a deep conservation ethic. Their ranch is the last large continuous tract of native prairie in the lower Arkansas Valley that connects to the Arkansas River. With conversion on all four side of the ranch, and multiple offers to develop the property for cropland and other uses, the May family approached the conservation community looking for economical means to protect the grassland and maintain their way of life. Working in collaboration with other conservation partners, DU was able to develop the carbon project given their experience in the sector and the bird values associated with the property.

“This project exemplifies what carbon markets and conservation finance at large are trying to achieve,” said Billy Gascoigne, economist and emerging markets specialist for DU. “Through the protocol, we were able to prove significant greenhouse gas savings, in addition to all the other ancillary benefits that supported a much bigger partnership.

Over half of the grasslands in the U.S. have been disturbed and converted to other uses, mainly cropland. According to a study published in Environmental Research Letters, 5.7 million acres of grassland were converted to cropland during 2008-2012. When grasslands are converted to cropland, not only is belowground soil carbon released, but emissions also increase due to cultivation activities, such as fertilizer application and fossil fuel combustion. Through avoided grassland conversion offset projects, landowners have the opportunity to be compensated for protecting their historic grasslands and make a meaningful contribution to addressing climate change.

“By protecting over 14,500 acres of grassland that are under threat of being converted to cropland, the May Ranch grassland carbon offset project will be achieving GHG emissions reductions far into the future,” said Craig Ebert, President of the Climate Action Reserve. “The May Ranch project is a prime example of the innovation in ecosystem markets, multi-stakeholder partnership, and long-term commitment required to address the seriousness and scope of climate change.”