Under2 Coalition at COP28 UAE report by climategroup

Uniting Leaders, Driving Change Under2 Coalition at COP28 UAE

Under2 Coalition at COP28 UAE

Contents 03

Letter from Champa Patel

04 Highlights from our leadership 05 Spotlight Agenda 07

Breakout Agenda

09 Attendees 10

Our global network

Climate Group at COP28

What COP28 achieved

Thank you

What’s next

Under2 Coalition at COP28 UAE

Letter from Champa Patel Thank you for joining us at the Under2 Coalition General Assembly at COP28, and for making it such an incredible success. Together we convened more than 300 global leaders from across government, business and civil society, to discuss effective and lasting climate solutions by collaborating across sectors. As Secretariat to the Under2 Coalition, our mission is to drive climate action, fast – by building strong partnerships, pooling expertise and pushing for change. And our coming together couldn’t have happened at a more important time - if we don’t take urgent action now and start phasing out fossil fuels, the UN warns us we could be on track for a hellish three degree rise in temperature. With your support, we were able to bring together critical decision-makers at the Coalition’s largest meeting to date, including many people who are living on the frontline of this crisis every day. This report reflects the impact and power we can have when we join forces – Uniting Leaders, Driving Change. The fact there were so many of us is no coincidence – states and regions played a stronger role than ever before at COP28, marking an important shift in the importance of subnational governments voices in

international climate processes. It was a true and long overdue acknowledgment of the leadership, creativity and innovative thinking at subnational level. Our General Assembly was designed to facilitate big conversations, spark debate and allow experts to zero in on the details across inspiring sessions, resulting in a day of substantive action and tangible takeaways. As we look ahead to our upcoming events in the lead up to Climate Week NYC in 2024, our promise for the coming year will be maintaining the momentum of COP28. Ensuring states and regions remain at the heart of climate discussions and decisions, where they belong.

Champa Patel Executive Director, Governments and Policy Under2 Coalition Secretariat, Climate Group

Under2 Coalition at COP28 UAE

Highlights from our leadership

On plans to decarbonise intensive sectors, Kim Tae-heum, Governor of Chungcheongnam-do Province in South Korea said: “We are planning to set aside £100m to repurpose and retrofit old, carbon-intensive industrial facilities.” Concluding that “talking is one thing, but we have to take action together.”

Humza Yousaf, First Minister of the Scottish Government confirmed funding of clean and reliable energy for Malawi, Zambia and Rwanda. Humza Yousaf said: “The Scottish Government is committed to playing its part as a good global citizen and helping to tackle global challenges like poverty, injustice and inequality.”

Highlighting the need for full transparency in allocating new loss and damage funding announced at COP28, Premier Nomusa Dube-Ncube of KwaZulu-Natal said: “Now there’s an agreement on loss and damage funding, we need to have practical plans and timelines. There has to be regular evaluation on progress.”

Subnational governments underlined their commitment to speed up climate action. Our Executive Director of Governments and Policy, Champa Patel, opened the Under2 Coalition General Assembly with a call to end the use of fossil fuels. “There is no question that the climate crisis is a fossil fuel crisis. And there is no pathway to net zero that can include the continued use of fossil fuels. The consequences are clear. We cannot limit global warming to 1.5 degrees without immediate action.”

Under2 Coalition at COP28 UAE

Spotlight Agenda: Uniting Leaders, Driving Change

In his powerful keynote address, Ban Ki-moon implored the need for a just and sustainable transition. “Climate change isn’t isolated from economic growth… green growth presents opportunities for long term growth that can not only help the world achieve the 1.5 target but provide green jobs and improve livelihoods.” Echoing the objective of the General Assembly, Mr Ban Ki-moon advocated for working together and a more inclusive approach to international climate diplomacy: “Our actions today will define the world of tomorrow.”

The Under2 Coalition General Assembly got off to an inspiring start with the Uniting Leaders, Driving Change Spotlight Agenda. Leading voices from across government, business and civil society including Paris Agreement architect and CEO of the European Climate Foundation Laurence Tubiana, former UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and Governors and Ministers from across Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas, joined us on stage for a series of addresses, breakout sessions, and panels.

Laurence Tubiana spoke to the role of subnationals under the Paris Agreement, sharing that all governments need to be part of the solution and be held accountable. Reiterating that a multi-level partnership model was always the intention of the Paris Agreement, and the mission now is to make it a reality. “It is a crucial, historical moment to have states and regions recognized formally in the next generation of events.”

Following a panel discussion with three of our Under2 Coalition co-chairs, Chungnam in South Korea, KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa and Scotland in the United Kingdom, we heard from other state and regional governments on issues of growth, equity and climate. Minister Walker of Baden-Württemberg, Governor Barbalho from Pará and Governor Kefas from Taraba State discussed the need to connect local people more closely with their environments to improve actions against climate change. Governor Barbalho, whose state is hosting COP30 in 2025, said: “If the world is concerned about the Amazon forest, it must also be concerned about the people who are living in the forest region.”

Under2 Coalition at COP28 UAE

We have to speed up and expand renewable energy technologies and ensure everyone can access them. A just transition means everyone has the opportunity to be part of that. Thekla Walker – Minister for the Environment, Climate Protection and Energy Sector, Baden-Württemberg

Speakers: • Agbu Kefas, Governor of Taraba State

Governor Bill Ritter Jr., President and Chair of the Board (North America) of Climate Group, was the Spotlight Agenda’s final speaker, wrapping up the morning by imploring the need for collective action now more than ever. Ending his closing remarks on a hopeful note, Ritter highlighted the increased role and platform of subnational governments at COP28 – states, regions and provinces are recognised for their critical role in reducing emissions and supporting a just and equitable transition.

• Ban Ki-moon, 8th Secretary General of the UN and President and Chair, Global Green Growth Institute, Ban Ki-moon Centre • Champa Patel, Executive Director of Governments and Policy, Climate Group • Governor Bill Ritter Jr., President and Chair of the Board (North America), Climate Group • Emily Shuckburgh, Director, Cambridge Zero, The University of Cambridge

• Laurence Tubiana, Chief Executive Officer, European Climate Foundation • Naomi Oreskes, Henry Charles Lea Professor of the History of Science and Affiliated Professor of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Harvard University • Nehmat Kaur, Head of Under2 and Subnational Governments, Climate Group • Nomusa Dube-Ncube, Premier, Government of KwaZulu-Natal

• Helder Barbalho, Governor of Para

• Pettri Taalas, Secretary General, World Meteorological Organization

• Helen Clarkson, Chief Executive Officer, Climate Group

• Rose M. Mutiso, Research Director, The Energy for Growth Hub

• Humza Yousaf, First Minister, Scottish Government

• Thelka Walker, Minister for the Environment, Climate Protection and Energy Sector, Baden-Württemberg

• Kim Tae-heum, Governor, Government of Chuncheongnam-do

Under2 Coalition at COP28 UAE

Breakout Agenda Commitments alone don’t fundamentally change anything without action. But by working together to share and discuss insights and apply action locally, we can move from commitment to implementation. Our afternoon Shifting Systems Breakout Agenda focused on resolving serious climate issues, from methane emissions to a just transition, sustainable steel and climate finance. We brought together experts from governments and businesses who were keen to take new information back to their states and regions to do more in their communities. As well as practical examples of action, delegates discussed the application of accurate and timely data to build local climate resilience. With one of the key themes of COP28 being the need to adapt to changing conditions, this was a timely way of thinking through new ways of protecting people and ecosystems as effectively as possible.

Under2 Coalition at COP28 UAE

In a fireside chat, Deanne Criswell, Administrator of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, spoke to the importance of using data to help build subnational resilience to climate change. Later, in our thoughtprovoking panel on accelerating a just transition, Mairi McAllan, Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Net Zero and Just Transition in the Scottish Government reiterated that: “One of the most important political messages is – not to give up.” In a session focused on mobilising and scaling finance for climate action now, Lamia Kamal-Chaoui, Director, OECD Centre for Entrepreneurship, SMEs, Regions and Cities, highlighted the need for subnationals to go back to basics and ensure their government has a mixed and diverse pool of funding. From green bonds to sustainable procurement, there are many ways states and regions can fund their work on climate – but this needs urgent support if it is to meet future needs. In a late afternoon discussion on the climate damage being done by methane, delegates examined solutions being proposed to monitor and reduce emissions from different sources. Cross River State’s Commissioner for Special Duties Oden Ewa spoke of how his region is cutting landfill waste by encouraging local recycling and emphasised that behaviour change is behind a lot of the action we need to see around emissions. Calling for collective action, he stated: “We’ve said enough by now. You’re either fighting climate change or you’re not.”

Shifting Systems: Breakout Agenda • Buy green to go green: Winning the race for jobs and investment through zero carbon steel and concrete procurement • Money talks: Mobilising and scaling finance for climate action now • Bridging perspectives: Subnational insights on climate resilience in a fastchanging reality • Uniting leaders: Supercharging multilevel action to close the ambition gap

• All-of-society approach to a just transition: Unlocking public and private efforts to accelerate a just and equitable net zero • Breaking energy boundaries: Unleashing renewable energy prosperity in G20 nations • Climate “Foodprint”: Exploring food decarbonisation potential through policy and procurement

Under2 Coalition at COP28 UAE

Attendee stats Total in-person audience

308

from

climate leaders

Civil society

123

countries

organisations

0.3% Media

Academic

16%

from

32%

67%

34%

Mid-level

Government

Attendees by Sector

C-Suite

Attendees by Seniority

16%

Business

34%

Senior-level

200

total members and signatories in person

Member stats

total member organisations in attendance

total signatory organisations in attendance

countries members and signatories joined us from

Under2 Coalition at COP28 UAE

Member highlights from COP28

The Under2 Coalition is the largest global network of subnational governments that have committed to fighting climate change and reaching net zero emissions by 2050 or earlier. It now represents 177 subnational governments with co-chairs from Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, North America and Latin America. Every year, we convene our government members at the Under2 Coalition General Assembly. This year, for the first time, we invited global businesses that are leading on climate action through our business initiatives such as RE100 and EV100.

California formally launched a Subnational Methane Action Partnership with 15 governments now working together to cut emissions of this harmful gas. This was followed on 4 December by updated commitments and actions from the Global Methane Pledge, as signatories look to reduce methane emissions by at least 30% by 2030.

At the General Assembly, we were proud to welcome two new members to the Under2 Coalition: Taraba State in Nigeria and Goiás in Brazil. Plus, new members to our business programmes; Bachy Soletanche ConcreteZero, Hang Lung Properties and Polestar - SteelZero, Phoenix Group and DATEM Incorporated - EP100, and Cisco - RE100.

The governments of Catalonia and California, joined by 14 regions across five continents, announced a Mediterranean Climate Action Partnership, for the adaptation and mitigation of climate change, as well as the reversal of biodiversity loss, in regions with Mediterranean climates.

Cover page

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Achieving Net Zero through Nature Case studies from the Naturebased Solutions Taskforce of the Net Zero Futures Policy Forum

New South Wales published a policy compendium on nature-based solutions through the Net Zero Futures Policy Forum: identifying examples of best practice across Australia.

As Governor, I am eager to contribute our efforts toward the Coalition’s goal of reaching net zero emissions by 2050 or earlier. We’re outlining realistic steps to achieve this. Subnational governments play a crucial role in implementing climate actions. Governor Agbu Kefas, Taraba State

The government of Chungnam Province in South Korea became the first region to announce support for a new Governor and Premiers Partnership. The initiative aims to enhance highlevel political leadership on climate change at the regional level.

Interested in becoming a member of the Under2 Coalition? Learn more.

Under2 Coalition at COP28 UAE

Climate Group at COP28 COP28 has focused more on subnational governments than any other COP before. Over the first few days states and regions also made a series of announcements to demonstrate their leadership on climate: • 134 world leaders signed up for the landmark agriculture, food, and climate action declaration to help strengthen food systems, build resilience to climate change, reduce global emissions, and contribute to the global fight against hunger. • 65 governments and partner organisations endorsed the Local Governments and Municipal Authorities Constituency (LGMA) climate action paper at the start of COP28 – calling for an integrated approach to limit global warming and enhance adaptation measures involving cities, regions, and local governments. • Over 70 national governments supported the Coalition for High Ambition Multi-level Partnerships (CHAMP), which asks nations to commit to consulting their local and regional governments to build their national climate goals.

Under2 Coalition at COP28 UAE

• The first ever Local Climate Action Summit was held at COP, a milestone event for local and regional climate leadership. Climate Group’s CEO Helen Clarkson spoke at a session, sharing that states and regions are using their powers to change policies and engage in international climate negotiations, and it’s now time to translate this into action beyond COP. • The Under2 Coalition contributed to a new report that makes recommendations for subnational governments to ensure their net zero goals have credibility, accountability, and transparency while acknowledging their varied capacities and characteristics.

Future Fund Impact Report 2023 Empowering developing regions to act on climate change

The Under2 Coalition published its annual impact report for the Future Fund, which in 2023 raised a total of US $119,000 to support practical projects and secondments between governments. The Fund is supported by the governments of Baden-Württemberg, Navarra, Québec and Wales and we’re pleased to welcome Bentley Environmental Foundation as an additional supporter this year.

• RE100 launched a new report, Financing the Energy Transition: How Governments Can Maximise Corporate Investment, highlighting the common policy barriers hampering some of the world’s biggest economies from tripling their renewable power capacity by 2030 and unlocking billions in private investment in renewables. • In a session organised by Climate Group together with the UNFCCC, Race to Zero and WRI India, ‘Accelerating Global Climate Actions via Subnational Leadership,’ some of the foremost voices from the global south representing youth, indigenous groups, governments, and civil society were brought together to deliberate on subnational and local climate actions. • To coincide with the General Assembly, the Under2 Coalition published its first policy summary - Integrity Matters: Are credibility standards fit for states and regions? This summary analyses net zero transition plans submitted by Under2 Coalition governments earlier this year as part of the UN’s accountability work, with the aim of answering one critical question: do global climate leadership standards work as a framework for states and regions?

Under2 Coalition at COP28 UAE

What COP28 achieved Now that COP has ended, where do we find ourselves, and what comes next? It is fair to say it is a mixed picture. On the one hand, there’s a clear signal on the need to transition away from fossil fuels, but it’s been disappointing to not see a commitment to phase out. However, where we did see major strides forward was on the role of subnational governments in meeting international climate goals. As we discussed at the Under2 General Assembly at COP, state and regional governments often have the devolved power to drive net zero transition, including raising their own revenue, but are not formally recognised in international climate processes.

We saw several references to state and regional governments included in the Global Stocktake and Global Goal on Adaptation, saying national governments should join efforts to accelerate multi-level action and ensure the inclusion of subnational governments.

That changed at this COP - we saw a far greater focus on the role of cities, states and regions than ever before. The first ever Local Climate Action Summit (LCAS) saw subnational leaders from across the world participate in the formal COP agenda for the first time. On top of that more than 70 national governments endorsed support for the role of subnational governments to contribute to NDCs and progress reviews through the newly established Coalition for High Ambition Multilevel Partnership (CHAMP).

Why does this matter? It hugely important because it sends a clear signal that we cannot accelerate climate action without national and subnational governments working together. It underscores that states and regions are best placed to understand and respond to local needs. Having the role of subnational governments recognised in this way is a landmark achievement.

In addition, through the Local Government and Municipal Authority (LGMA), our focal point into the UNFCCC, subnational governments negotiated hard to have their role recognised in the COP outcomes text. And what a result!

But to ensure that these are not just words on a page we need to see a step change in implementation. States and regions have a powerful role to play in meeting net zero goals. The UAE Consensus has created new opportunities to make the change from ambition to implementation.

Thank you

Resilience Series Partner

Spotlight Partner

Systems Partner

Supporting Partner

The next big moment in your climate calendar:

US Climate Action Summit April 24, Washington, DC

Followed by:

Climate Group Asia Action Summit May, Seoul

Steel Summit & Concrete Innovation Forum June, Brussels

Climate Week NYC September 22 – 29, New York

Under2 Coalition General Assembly at COP28 UAE Thank you for your support