America Is All In coalition urges global collaboration to combat climate change during COP29

Representatives from the America Is All In coalition have stated that efforts to tackle climate change will persist, regardless of potential changes in federal policy following the recent election.

The representatives made these remarks at a press conference on "State and City Climate Action" during COP29 in Azerbaijan’s capital Baku, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

During the session, Washington Governor Jay Inslee emphasised that the US climate alliance, which includes 24 states representing 60 per cent of the nation's economy, remains committed to advancing clean energy solutions.

He made it clear that federal election will not hinder states from continuing to push forward initiatives such as the adoption of electric vehicles and the strengthening of energy efficiency standards.

Governor Inslee stated that the emissions regulations and investment policies would remain in place, regardless of any changes at the federal level, and that Donald Trump would be unable to undo their progress.

California Secretary for Environmental Protection, Yana Garcia highlighted that her state has proven that it is possible to reduce emissions while simultaneously achieving economic growth. In her remarks, Garcia emphasised the importance of alliances like the US Climate Alliance and the Under2 Coalition, which unite subnational governments committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

She stated that California will continue leading on climate policy, irrespective of political shifts at the federal level. 

Garcia stated that their achievements demonstrated to the world that emissions reductions were possible without harming the economy and that they would continue making these efforts while pushing national governments toward more ambitious targets.

Maryland's Secretary of the Environment, Serena McIlwain, noted that her state is aiming for 100 per cent clean energy by 2035 and plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 60 per cent by 2031. 

She emphasised that climate change is already having an impact on states, including rising sea levels and increased health risks. At the end of the meeting, Governor Inslee urged international partners to act decisively, emphasising the importance of collective efforts.

He pointed out that the US is already a leading global producer of silicon anode batteries and stressed the importance of further international collaboration in this field. 

Governor Inslee concluded that climate change was a threat that could not be avoided and emphasised the need to unite efforts and continue tackling the challenge.

The America's All In coalition aims to demonstrate the commitment to climate policy at the state level, despite uncertainties at the federal level.

COP29, being held from November 11 to 22 at Baku Stadium, represents Azerbaijan's largest and most significant international event to date, marking the first time the country has hosted a COP summit. The event began with the signing of a Host Country Agreement and other important documents between the Azerbaijani government and the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Secretariat.

A central focus of COP29 is the establishment of a fair and ambitious New Collective Quantitative Goal (NCQG) for climate finance. In line with this, the presidency of COP29 has introduced 14 key initiatives that link climate action to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These initiatives cover areas such as green energy corridors, energy storage, climate resilience, clean hydrogen, methane reduction from organic waste, and the development of green digital technologies. One of the flagship proposals is the creation of a Climate Finance Action Fund, aimed at supporting the critical goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C. 

Throughout COP29, Azerbaijan has demonstrated its commitment to climate action and environmental protection. The unanimous decision to elect Azerbaijan as the host for this summit underscores the global community’s trust in the country’s leadership on climate issues. In his opening remarks, President Ilham Aliyev emphasized Azerbaijan’s pivotal role in global climate efforts, underscoring the country’s dedication to mitigating climate change and advancing sustainable development.

By Naila Huseynova