FM Signs Climate Change Agreement With Calfornia

4 April 2017, 06:41

Nicola Sturgeon has signed an agreement with the Government of California pledging to work together on climate change.

The First Minister and the Governor of California Edmund G Brown made the pledge in a document signed in Sacramento, US, on Monday.

The Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) defines how the two administrations can work together and create a model for other governments to follow.

The leaders also discussed the importance of offshore wind in tackling climate change and considered how they could share knowledge and best practice in developing this technology.

The Scottish Government signalled its continued commitment to the agreement Under2 MoU, which makes commitments towards reducing emissions.

It also promised to press ahead with plans to deliver domestic measures to reduce carbon emissions and provide leadership and example in the spirit of the MoU and the historic Paris Agreement.

Ms 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.

"Today's 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.''

Environmental groups on both sides of the Atlantic welcomed the signing of a joint agreement on tackling climate change.  

WWF-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.

WWF Scotland director Lang Banks said: "The global transition to low-carbon future is already under way and it's unstoppable.

"The real issue is how quickly we will get there, not whether we will get there. That's why it's fantastic to see the First Minister in the US seeking to work with others prepared to stand up for people and nature threatened by global climate change.

"Scotland has a very positive story to share globally about how it has successfully created thousands of jobs and reduced carbon emissions from its power sector through the use of renewables.''