CCS United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Activities
The Center for Climate Strategies (CCS) is designated as a formal observer to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). In this role it hosts formal side events, provides information to support formal negotiations, and credentials US national and subnational officials to join events and policy dialog. CCS works closely with the US State Department to foster information exchange, dialog and representation of US subnational leaders.
COP 15 Copenhagen, Denmark 2009
Subnational Leadership Roundtables
At the COP 15 meeting CCS convened roundtable discussions of subnational leaders in the US and international counterparts to review progress on goals and specific policy actions, and identify cooperative mechanisms to foster scale up of this work in the US and abroad. In addition, The Global Environment Institute (GEI) and CCS showcased their work on U.S. China Engagement and the potential for U.S.-China subnational cooperation through informal side events.
COP 16 Cancun, Mexico 2010
CCS and Governor Bill Richardson Highlight Value of Subnational Climate Action at COP 16 in Cancun, Mexico
On December 6, 2010, Tom Peterson of CCS and then New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson held a press conference to focus on measurable outcomes from subnational action and policy on climate change. Governor Richardson previously served as Secretary of the US Department of Energy and US Ambassador to the United Nations, as well as serving as a US Congressman.
“For the last decade states and regions have been developing and implementing a wide range of practical approaches to cut emissions, save cash and create jobs,” said Tom Peterson, CEO and President of CCS. “These policies and plans provide critical roadmaps for the targeting of investment and crafting of future national policies.”
New Mexico Governor Richardson underscored the importance of subnational leadership to meet global challenges. “In New Mexico, our state’s economy has benefited greatly from strong energy and climate policies, including new jobs through the renewable industry that is building a strong base in our state during a time of economic downturn,” Richardson said.
CCS-GEI US-China Engagement Side Event
CCS and GEI held an official joint side event at COP16 in Cancun, Mexico with leaders from CCS, GEI, New York State, Guangdong Province, U.S. Department of State and Chinese National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC).
The event, titled “It’s Hard to Build a Skyscraper from the Sky Down: Subnational Climate Action in the U.S. and China,” featured introductions by CCS President and CEO Tom Peterson and GEI Executive Director Madame Jin Jiaman to their work on comprehensive subnational climate action planning in the US and China. They were followed by keynotes stressing the importance of strengthened US-China and subnational action and cooperation by Madame Huang Wenhang, Director of the Division of International Cooperation of the Department of Climate Change at the NDRC and US Department of State Special Representative for Global Intergovernmental Affairs Reta Jo Lewis.
Dr. Lin Yaojun, Director of the Environmental Protection and Climate Division of the Guangdong Provincial Development and Reform Commission, and Jared Snyder, Assistant Commissioner for Air Resources, Climate Change, and Energy at the New York State Department of Environmental Conversation, gave thoughtful presentations on the status of climate action in their leading US and Chinese subnational jurisdictions and opportunities for cooperation. Before audience Q&A, Dr. Liao Cuiping, Research Director of the Energy Strategy Research Center at the Chinese Academy of Sciences Guangzhou Institute of Energy Conversion, spoke from a technical perspective on what can be learned from CCS’ methodology for comprehensive subnational climate action planning and analysis for adaptation and use to support Guangdong’s low carbon development planning efforts.
State Department Subnational Action Side Event
CCS worked closely with the US Department of State during the COP16 meetings in Cancun supporting US DOS Special Representative for Global Intergovernmental Affairs Reta Jo Lewis in her efforts to draw focus on US subnational climate work and those leading it.
COP 17 Durban, South Africa 2011
CCS and US State Department Co-Host COP 17 Subnational Side Event
On December 5, 2011, at the international climate conference in Durban, South Africa, CCS co-hosted a subnational side event at the official US government event center with US State Department Special Representative for Global Intergovernmental Affairs Reta Jo Lewis. The event featured recent subnational actions on sustainable economic, energy, and environmental issues in the US. CCS President and CEO Tom Peterson provided documentation of improvements in US emissions trends and associated economic and policy actions, as well as analysis of 26 critical future actions to address US goals for economic, energy and environmental security (see The Security and Investment Project by CCS).
CCS-GEI COP 17 Side Event Featured US State Department EcoPartnership
On December 8, 2011, in Durban, CCS co-hosted a side event with the Beijing-based Global Environment Institute (GEI) featuring US-China engagement and partnership activities underway through the CCS-GEI EcoPartnership awarded by the US State Department and Chinese National Development and Reform Commission. National and subnational experts from both countries outlined the cooperative mechanisms and technical work underway to close gaps related to information, policy, and techniques within and between China and the US.
