COP21: Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger Reveals 2 Global Reports

reprint of press release

posted by Paige Donner

COP21: Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger will reveal two global reports Nine Global Actions That Dramatically Cut Carbon Emissions Climate Finance Action Plan That Shows How to Replicate These Successes Around the World Paris, 5 December 2015 - R20 Founder and former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger, Yale University, and the Stanley Foundation, in collaboration with the R20 and USC Schwarzenegger Institute, released "Scaling Up: From Local to Global Climate Action." This report confirms that sub-national action on climate change is in many ways surpassing national efforts in scope and ambition. The report uses case studies from nine regions around the world to highlight initiatives that, if adopted nationally, would contribute significantly to, or even surpass, country-level mitigation goals.  The highlighted initiatives have the potential to raise national ambition; spur additional mitigation, adaptation, and climate financing; and inject an emphasis on solutions-directed efforts into the public dialogue on climate change. From California to Rajasthan, India, these case studies reveal a range of local partnerships that exhibit strong climate leadership. "I have always said that our states, provinces, and cities are where the action is. We proved it in California and many of our policies have been adopted by our federal government. This report proves the value of sub-national governments all over the world taking action and not waiting for their national leaders or international institutions to help us solve the world's most pressing challenge - - climate change," declares Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. In concert with this report, the R20 and the USC Schwarzenegger institute also released "Climate Finance: A Status Report and Action Plan" which gives tangible, concrete examples of how to expedite the transition to a low-carbon economy based on proven technologies and projects all over the world, such as those described in "Scaling Up". Drafted at the request of French President Francois Hollande, who identified climate finance as critical to the negotiations at COP21, the report offers a comprehensive road map to effectively tackle climate finance challenges. The report gives examples of supportive governments in various regions around the world (at the sub-national and national level); mature low-carbon technologies; and substantial amounts of capital, but also points out that intermediaries are needed to align interests and develop projects.The Report concludes by proposing concrete solutions moving forward and will also serve as the basis for implementation of climate finance solutions post COP21. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Founding Chair of the R20 and Chairman of the USC Schwarzenegger Institute, will participate in a number of COP21 events to draw attention to these two papers and continue his longstanding commitment in addressing climate change and protecting the environment. Schwarzenegger will highlight the important role that sub-national leadership is providing in reducing carbon emissions and will stress the need to accelerate the action being created at the local level.   On Saturday December 5th, Schwarzenegger will give a key note speech to the Inter-Parliamentary Union where he will formally announce the reports and will present copies to French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius and UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon.  Two days later, on December 7th, Schwarzenegger will speak to the students and faculty of Sciences Po University about the long-term nature of the climate change challenge and the important role future generations of leaders will play in addressing it.   On December 8th Schwarzenegger will deliver remarks to the official UN negotiating body that is working to formally integrate subnational actions into the UNFCCC negotiations for the first time in history. He will highlight how much progress sub-nationals have made to support the reasoning for this new officially sanctioned approach. ### About R20 R20 Regions of Climate Action is a non-profit organization founded by Arnold Schwarzenegger and other global leaders in cooperation with the United Nations. Our mission is to help sub-national governments around the world to develop and communicate low-carbon and climate resilient economic development projects. We do so by working in three primary aspects of development: policy, technology, and finance. www.regions20.org About the USC Schwarzenegger Institute The USC Schwarzenegger Institute for State and Global Policy is committed to advancing post-partisanship, where leaders put people over political parties and work together to find the best ideas and solutions to benefit the people they serve. The Institute seeks to influence public policy and public debate in finding solutions to the serious challenges we face.While the Institute engages on a variety of critical policy areas, a primary focus is climate change, which reflects Governor Schwarzenegger's leadership on the issue and it being one of the defining challenges of our generation. www.schwarzeneggerinstitute.com About the Stanley Foundation The Stanley Foundation advances multilateral action to create fair, just, and lasting solutions to critical issues of peace and security. The foundation's work is built on a belief that greater international cooperation will improve global governance and enhance global citizenship. The organization values its Midwestern roots and family heritage as well as its role as a nonpartisan, private operating foundation. The Stanley Foundation does not make grants. www.stanleyfoundation.org. About Yale University Since its founding in 1701, Yale has been dedicated to expanding and sharing knowledge, inspiring innovation, and preserving cultural and scientific information for future generations. Yale's reach is both local and international. It partners with its hometown of New Haven, Connecticut to strengthen the city's community and economy. And it engages with people and institutions across the globe in the quest to promote cultural understanding, improve the human condition, delve more deeply into the secrets of the universe, and train the next generation of world leaders. www.yale.edu

R20 Regions of Climate Action | 48 Chemin du Grand Montfleury | Geneva | CA | 1290 | Switzerland Eco.Luxury.Style – quarterly Sustainable Magazine Green Blog Network * Greening Hollywood * Greening Beauty  Greening Paris * Greening Vancouver