DAVIS, Calif. /California Newswire/ — Building on the accomplishments made at the first two Governors’ Global Climate Summits in 2009 and 2008, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on Friday announced he will host the Governors’ Global Climate Summit 3 at the world renowned Mondavi Center at the University of California, Davis (UC Davis) on November 15 and 16. The third annual summit will bring together leaders from around the world to collaborate on efforts that will further the global fight against climate change, work towards collaborative actions to help reduce emissions and build green economies.
“Our past summits brought together leaders and experts from around the world to work on solutions to address climate change. With the successes from these collaborations, I have seen firsthand the power that states and other regional governments carry in influencing and creating the new ideas that spur clean innovation and the green economy,” said Governor Schwarzenegger. “This year’s summit will be an incredible opportunity to build on these previous successes and strengthen the important relationships with our national and international partners to continue developing climate change strategies that will reduce emissions and create jobs.”
For years, Governor Schwarzenegger has worked to bring world leaders together at all levels of government to partner on ways to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, create a healthier environment and build green economies. The Governor and United Nations officials welcomed more than 1,200 attendees from more than 70 states, provinces and countries to the Governors’ Global Climate Summit 2 in Los Angeles last fall. As the largest gathering of regional leaders focused on climate solutions, the Summit helped to develop cooperative partnerships and promote collaborative actions needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, build green economies and fight global climate change.
The Summit also provided subnational leaders the opportunity to influence the position of their national governments in advance of negotiations for the global climate change conference which took place in Copenhagen last December. Following up on last year’s successful summit, this year’s effort will continue to expand the network of subnational collaboration to stimulate economic growth, reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, create green jobs, promote clean energy solutions and reduce greenhouse gas pollution while leading up to the United Nations COP 16 in Cancun later this year.
The Governors’ Global Climate Summit 3 will take place at UC Davis to take advantage of the university’s long history of world-class research and development in environmental sustainability and green jobs. UC Davis’ academic research, expertise and collaborative approach have been providing solutions to government, industry and advocates on issues ranging from energy efficiency and bio-fuels to sustainable agriculture and health solutions for rural and developing communities. In 2006, the university furthered its commitment to innovation and the promotion of California’s green economy when the Governor, joined by the California Clean Energy Fund, announced UC Davis would be the home of the nation’s first university-based Energy Efficiency Center. And recently, the Governor joined UC Davis Graduate School of Management Dean Steven Currall on the university’s campus in a discussion on clean, sustainable paths to economic prosperity, as part of UC Davis’ E3 Roundtable on Economic Prosperity, Energy and the Environment.
“We are honored and excited that Governor Schwarzenegger has chosen UC Davis as the site for his third annual global climate summit,” said UC Davis Chancellor Linda Katehi. “The summit focus is a perfect match for the mission and strengths of our university. We are the destination and model for sustainable change in our region, our nation and throughout the world. Few universities can rival UC Davis in our overall research, innovation and solutions, environmental stewardship and campus commitment to sustainability. We look forward to partnering with the Governor as we help host this important and exciting event.”
The Governors’ summits have helped provide a platform for states and provinces to partner to reduce emissions, grow their green economies and influence their national governments towards the same goal. The past climate summits brought together international leaders committed to reducing greenhouse gases from deforestation, international offset projects and global collaboration with nations such as China, which just launched its first voluntary carbon registry. The world is now taking notice of the important role for provinces and states in fighting global warming.
At the conclusion of last year’s summit, Governor Schwarzenegger joined 30 global leaders in signing the Global Climate Solutions Declaration, committing all to work together to pursue clean transportation and mobility, support national climate change legislation, include forests in climate policy development, acknowledge the need for adaptation efforts and recognize the role of subnational governments in climate change discussions and actions. Since the Global Climate Solutions Declaration last October, 28 additional regional government leaders have signed on.
On the heels of last year’s summit, Governor Schwarzenegger joined other subnational leaders in announcing the concept of a new coalition at the COP 15 in Copenhagen Climate Change Conference to push respective national governments into more rapid actions and stronger commitments to fighting climate change. The founding members of the Club of 20 Regions (R20+) from around the world will sign the Charter for its creation at the Governors’ Global Climate Summit 3.
Additional information on the Governor’s public meetings, appearances and events at the Governors’ Global Climate Summit 3 along with media credentialing information will be made available closer to the November summit dates.
