Last December 3rd, leaders of regional governments gathered at the Maison de l’Europe in Paris, alongside the COP21, to sign the first global commitment to support and report efforts on adaptation actions at the subnational level, the RegionsAdapt.

The initiative was created by the Governments of Rio de Janeiro and Catalonia and foresees the adoption of adaptation plans, the prioritization of concrete actions, as well as reporting data of implemented actions through the Compact of States and Regions.

During the launch, the leaders of the initiative Santi Vila i Vicente, Minister of Territory and Sustainability of the Catalan Government and André Corrêa, Secretary of Environment of Rio de Janeiro, explained that RegionsAdapt emerges from the need of subnational governments to amplify their capacity of responding effectively to climate impacts. “Regional governments are at the forefront of climate action and the citizens of our respective jurisdictions expect an effective response to climate change impacts”, said Santi Vila i Vicente, Minister of Territory and Sustainability of the Catalan Government. Vila highlighted also the key role played by regions in the integration with local and national governments and drew attention to the importance of territorial management to ensure actions on the ground.

On behalf of the Rio Janeiro state, Secretary for the Environment, André Correa, emphasized the relevance of an international collaborative framework, to fill in the gap to support adaptation action in subnational territories. With a view to the imminent risks and existing consequences of climate change in each region, the Secretary highlighted the capacity of subnational governments to transpose plans and work effectively in implementation on the ground: “Rio de Janeiro State lives its worst drought in 85 years. Our generation is the first to feel the impacts of climate change. In this sense, we are convinced about the importance to share best practices and innovative solutions with other regions to overcome the climate challenges we are already facing and those of the upcoming years”, said Correa.

Leaders of subnational governments from different continents had also supported and endorsed the initiative. South regions in particular, underlined the importance of sharing best practices and collaborating considering their high vulnerability and the severe impacts of climate change experienced by their regions. “Specified adaptation strategies and plans are required at the regional level, considering the varied needs and scenarios that make each region unique. In terms of capacity building, funding, expertise sharing and policy framework, we could greatly benefit from the collaboration with other regions and networks in order to strengthen our capacity for action” said Aka Aouele, President of the Regional Concil of Sud Comoé“

The RegionsAdapt gathered 26 founding regions from all continents: 8 from Latin America, 6 from Africa, 5 from North America, 4 from Europe, 2 from Australia/Oceania, 1 from Asia, accounting for over 200 million inhabitants. 17 from the 26 founding regions are from the South and 70% of the founding signatories have coastal areas;

List of founding regions: Australian Capital Territory, Azuay, Basque Country, British Columbia, California, Catalonia, Ceará, Fatick, Goiás, Gossas, Jalisco, KwaZulu-Natal, Lombardia, Prince Edward Island, Québec, Rio de Janeiro, Rio Grande do Sul, Saint Louis, São Paulo, South Australia, Sud-Comoé, Tocantins, Tombouctou, Vermont, Wales, Western Province.

ENDS

Media contact:

Thais Ferraz, Communications Officer, nrg4SD
M: +34 633 235 432
tferraz@nrg4sd.org

About nrg4SD

The Network of Regional Governments for Sustainable Development, nrg4SD is a non-profit international organization representing subnational governments and associations of subnational governments at global level. Established in 2002 at the World Summit of Johannesburg, today nrg4SD totals some 50 states, regions and provinces from 30 countries and 7 associations of subnational governments.

nrg4SD campaigns internationally for the recognition of the role played by subnational governments in ensuring more effective sustainable development models. The network also focuses on climate change and biodiversity, fostering the dissemination of members’ innovative actions, and encouraging cooperation and partnership programmes for the exchange of best practices.

Nrg4sd.org org | @nrg4SD | #RegionsAdapt | #Regions4Climate

About The Climate Group

The Climate Group is an award-winning, international non-profit. Our goal is a prosperous, low carbon future. We believe this will be achieved through a ‘clean revolution’: the rapid scale-up of low carbon energy and technology. We work with corporate and government partners to develop climate finance mechanisms, business models which promote innovation, and supportive policy frameworks. We convene leaders, share hard evidence of successful low carbon growth, and pilot practical solutions which can be replicated worldwide. The Climate Group also convenes Climate Week NYC. In September 2015, Climate Week NYC hosted more than 120 events and served as the collaborative space for climate events in support of the UN Summit to adopt the Post-2015 Development Agenda.

The Climate Group States & Regions Alliance brings together sub-national government leaders from around the world in a powerful, high-profile network that shares expertise, demonstrates impact and influences the international climate dialogue. Our 33 members represent some of the most economically powerful regions in the world and include governments from across Europe, the Americas, South Asia, Australia and Africa, collectively accounting for 340 million citizens, 11% of global GDP and approx. 2.8 GtCO2e.

TheClimateGroup.org | @ClimateGroup | #StatesandRegions