37th  Annual Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers

WHEREAS, the Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers (NEG/ECP) adopted the NEG/ECP Climate Change Action Plan in 2001, the first ever regional partnership to address climate change, and unanimously agreed on regional greenhouse gas emission targets for 2010, 2020 and 2050; and

WHEREAS, according to the 1990-2011 regional Greenhouse Gas inventory, the NEG/ECP confirms that it has surpassed its 2010 greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction target of reducing the emissions to 1990 levels in 2010; and the region is already almost a quarter of the way toward its 2020 goal; and

WHEREAS, this objective was achieved while the region’s GDP grew by 54% and the population by more than 10% from 1990 to 2011; and

WHEREAS, Resolution 36-3 directed the Climate Change Steering Committee (CCSC) to review the regional Climate Change Action Plan and to present a new version at the 37th NEG/ECP Conference; and

WHEREAS, even as the region succeeded in reducing its GHG emissions, recent extreme weather events highlight the fact that the region needs to continue to reduce its GHG emissions and to adapt to climate change extremes, increase public safety and reduce the social and economic costs of climate change; and

WHEREAS, the NEG/ECP recognizes and accepts The Climate Group’s Leadership Award for the regional achievements on climate change, presented during the 37th Conference. This represents the second time the region receives such a prestigious distinction.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the NEG/ECP recognizes the remarkable achievement needed to surpass the first regional GHG target and commends the fine work of its Climate Change Steering Committee as well as the state and provincial agencies involved in the regional efforts; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the NEG/ECP accepts the 2013 Regional Climate Change Action Plan: Strategic Overview and tasks the environmental secretaries, commissioners, and ministers to develop a strategic near-term work plan to be presented to the governors and premiers at or before the 39th NEG/ECP Conference. The work plan will take into account the evolving knowledge and technologies in this area and will be consistent with the near and long-term regional emission reduction goals.

Adopted at the 37th Annual Conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers, La Malbaie, Québec, September 9, 2013.