Pacific Coast Collaborative states/province redouble their commitment to fight climate change, expand their clean energy economies at close of climate talks

by | Nov 16, 2017 | COP, Press Release

lighthouse on rocks near the water with sunset in the background

November 16, 2017

Climate change and clean energy economies

As the international climate talks in Bonn come to a close, the Pacific Coast Collaborative (PCC) states of California, Oregon, Washington, and the province of British Columbia are redoubling their commitment to lead in the fight against climate change while expanding their clean energy economies. The devastating impacts of extreme weather, wildfires and ocean acidification on communities along the West Coast of North America make it clear that there’s too much at stake – health, homes and livelihoods – to retreat now.

The PCC is also collaborating with major cities along the West Coast to reduce carbon emissions and align building efficiency, renewable energy and organic waste systems, integrate the region’s power grid, develop an interstate electric vehicle charging network, combat ocean acidification, and encourage innovation and job growth. The PCC represents the world’s fifth largest economy, a region of 55 million people with a combined GDP of $3 trillion.

During COP 23, the PCC governments released a Report Card that detailed their progress in developing the most advanced low-carbon future of any transboundary region in the world. Since 2005, regional nominal gross domestic product has grown by 20 percent while total regionwide emissions have declined more than six percent. Public and private-sector cooperation is transforming key economic sectors, putting the region on a path toward reducing emissions 80 to 95 percent below 1990 levels by 2050.

Climate change and ocean health, ocean acidification

After experiencing devastating impacts on commercial oyster resources from ocean acidification, the PCC governments founded the International Alliance to Combat Ocean Acidification. The OA Alliance focuses on taking action to mitigate the causes of ocean acidification, adapting to unavoidable changes and building the resiliency of marine ecosystems and the coastal communities that depend on them. The OA Alliance is a strong supporter of the United Nations’ newly launched COP23 Presidency initiative, the Ocean Pathway Partnership. The Oceans Pathway Partnership will make ocean protection a central component of the UN’s climate program. It will increase collaboration among ocean- and climate-focused coalitions, support funding for additional science to increase our understanding of adverse impacts of climate-related changes and for the development of action plans for protecting oceans from the impacts of climate change.

For more information, please contact:

  • California: Gov. Jerry Brown’s Press Office, govpressoffice@gov.ca.gov, +1-916-445-4571
  • Oregon: Chris Pair, chris.pair@oregon.gov, +1-503-559-5938
  • Washington: Jaime Smith, Jaime.smith@gov.wa.gov, +1-360-902-0617
  • British Columbia:  Contact: Media Relations, BC Ministry of Environment and Climate Change Strategy, +1-250-953-3834, David.Karn@gov.bc.ca
  • OA Alliance:  Jessie Turner, jessie@OAalliance.org, +1-702-521-2129