California Governor Schwarzenegger Signs Agreement with British Columbia Premier Campbell to Fight Global Warming

05/31/2007 -- California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and Premier Gordon Campbell today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between California and the Canadian Province of British Columbia to fight global warming. The agreement outlines key actions that California and British Columbia will take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. They met in Vancouver during Governor Schwarzenegger’s trade mission to Canada.

The agreement also commits British Columbia to adopt California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS). California’s LCFS will reduce the carbon content of all transportation fuels sold in our state 10 percent by 2020. Yesterday, the Province of Ontario also agreed to develop an LCFS.

“Premier Gordon Campbell has reached out to build cross-border relationships, and he has emerged as an important leader in North America who promotes collaboration and cooperation on issues that affect us all,” said Gov. Schwarzenegger. “Climate change and ocean health are issues that do not respect borders, and we must foster collaboration among governments, businesses, and citizens to address these critical issues.”

"This is an important step forward for our commitment to forge a Pacific Coast Collaborative, and I want to thank Governor Schwarzenegger for his tremendous leadership on tackling climate change", said Premier Campbell. "This agreement affirms the partnership between B.C. and California and sets out an action plan that can benefit our economies, our climate, our ocean and our planet."

Like California, British Columbia is committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions to below 1990 levels by 2020 and beyond. British Columbia is the first Canadian province to sign the Western Regional Climate Action Initiative with California, Arizona, New Mexico, Oregon, Washington and Utah. Members commit to reaching greenhouse gas targets, participating in a regional market-based program, like a cap-and-trade system for emissions, and participating in a multi-state registry.

Earlier this year, Premier Campbell announced an environmental agenda that, in addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, includes building a hydrogen highway; adopting California's tailpipe emissions standards; and identifying how British Columbia's government can become carbon neutral. Environmental sustainability is also a cornerstone of Vancouver's 2010 Olympic Games.

California is party to eight agreements with other states, nations and Canadian provinces, including British Columbia, Ontario and Manitoba. These agreements are important because they expand markets for clean fuels, cars and emissions credits across borders, allowing emission reductions at the lowest possible cost. California is working with other governments so that reporting, measuring, verifying and emissions markets have consistent protocols. Through the agreements, California is able to share and receive valuable information, such as academic research, effective policy initiatives, best practices and technological innovation.

Last year, Governor Schwarzenegger signed into law the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 which places an economy-wide cap on greenhouse gas emissions and requires a reduction of emissions in California to 1990 levels by 2020. He has also set administrative targets to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the state to 80 percent below 1990 levels by 2050.

The Governor introduced the LCFS in January. It utilizes enforceable standards, market competition and flexible compliance to reduce emissions at the lowest cost and in the most consumer-friendly ways. By 2020 it will require a reduction in the carbon intensity of California's passenger vehicle fuels of at least 10 percent and is expected to more than triple the size of California's renewable fuels market, displace 20 percent of California's gasoline consumption with lower carbon fuels, and put more than 7 million alternative fuel or hybrid vehicles on its roads without any new government spending. This first-of-its kind standard firmly establishes sustainable demand for lower-carbon fuels but without favoring one fuel or another.

Earlier this month, the Governor hosted an international symposium on the LCFS with the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and the International Council on Clean Transportation. The event was attended by officials from the federal government, Germany, Belgium, Indonesia, Canada, United Kingdom and Japan to learn more about how the LCFS will be implemented in California and its potential for adoption in around the world.

Source: California Governor

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