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California Addresses Global Summit on Climate Change, Calling for More Urgent Action
California Officials Deliver Remarks to Delegates, Highlighting How States, Provinces and Cities are Key to Meeting Climate Targets
BAKU, AZERBAIJAN — During the 29th annual United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP) negotiation, California Natural Resources Secretary Wade Crowfoot represented subnational governments from around the world calling for faster, bolder action to combat climate change.
California regularly sends a governmental delegation to the UN Climate Change COP. Leading the delegation this year are Secretary Crowfoot, California Environmental Protection Agency Secretary Yana Garcia, and Director of the Governor’s Office of Land Use and Climate Innovation Sam Assefa.
Secretary Crowfoot provided his remarks on behalf of a global network of subnational governments, led by the Local Government and Municipal Authority and the Under2 Coalition. In 2015, California co-founded the Under2 Coalition, now the largest network of subnational governments committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050 at the latest. And in 2017, California co-founded the U.S. Climate Alliance, a bipartisan coalition of 24 governors securing America's net-zero future by advancing state-led, high-impact climate action.
Governor Newsom will co-chair this alliance in 2025.
“We are towns, cities, counties, provinces, states, and regions from around the world taking bold action to reduce pollution, restore nature, and protect our people from intensifying climate impacts,” said Secretary Crowfoot. “For the lives and livelihoods of our people, and the future of our planet, we must act across borders with unprecedented resolve and urgency. There is absolutely no time to waste.”
Secretary Crowfoot’s full remarks can be viewed by video here.
Secretary Garcia joined the America is All In coalition to speak on the importance of urgency and action, titled Driving Ambitious Climate Goals: Leveraging All-of-Society Action. She also provided remarks on accelerating America's progress with bold, durable subnational action. Director Assefa will also attend the second week of the conference, speaking with a range of global leaders.
Together, these three environmental leaders are showcasing California’s progress and commitment to protecting communities by driving essential climate actions—decarbonizing the economy, cutting emissions, and advancing climate adaptation.
These agencies and others under the Newsom Administration are investing billions of dollars to ensure that every Californian has access to clean, affordable and safe water, and clean air. California’s continued economic growth also underscores the state’s ability to pursue ambitious climate action without compromising economic strength.
For more information, follow California Natural Resources Agency and California EPA social media accounts and the hashtags #COP29 and #COP29Azerbaijan.
