States and Regions are leading the way, but they are vulnerable too

The Climate Group’s annual “Global States and Regions – Annual Disclosure Report 2020” highlights the challenges and progress of 121 states and regions across all continents which disclosed their issues and solutions regarding climate change mitigation to the CDP.

The report introduces the climate and environmental threats that states and regions face. It moreover suggests two central actions states and regions can take to address the challenges: First, ending fossil fuel consumption and transitioning to renewable energy, and second, conserving, restoring and protecting natural carbon sinks.

The report argues that national governments must leverage the leadership that subnational governments have demonstrated, to raise and achieve higher ambitions. Vice versa, national and supranational levels can also raise ambitions for regions and states, as the report argues in the case of the EU’s new 2030 target. The collaboration and coordination across all levels of governance can thus enhance climate policy overall and together national and subnational governments can aim higher.

The report further introduces the aggerated statistics of the states and regions that have disclosed their climate action and vulnerabilities.

Key Findings:

• 18 states and regions have committed to net-zero and 21 more have long-term targets of 75% reductions.
• 55% of states and regions, with 2030 emissions reduction targets, are more ambitious than their national counterpart.
• 108 states and regions have reported to experience climate change and water security impacts. Correspondingly, 45% have developed adaptation plans.
• 26 states and regions have set an IPCC-conform 2030 target.
• Regions outperform the global average in renewable energy, with 47% of their electricity from renewables compared to 26% in the global average.