NCEL Delegation of Staff and State Legislators Travel to COP27 to Showcase U.S. State Leadership on Climate

In November, a delegation of NCEL state legislators joined leaders from across the world at COP27 where they exchanged ideas and highlighted state climate leadership. 

After weeks of international negotiations, there were two notable takeaways: efforts to create a new fund for loss and damage succeeded, but increased ambition failed.

Key COP27 Takeaways

New Loss and Damage Fund

For many developing countries, the climate conversation has moved past mitigation to loss and damage. Loss and damage is the concept that developed countries should pay for the costs of current and ongoing climate disasters (i.e. losses and damages) sustained by countries that did little to create the climate crisis. By the end of COP27, all the parties agreed to a new finance mechanism, the details of which will be worked out at a subsequent COP.

Lack of Increased Ambition

Another major point of contention in negotiations was whether to scale up ambition from last year’s meeting in Glasgow. Last year, all parties agreed to “phase down” coal. This year, India led an effort to “phase out” all fossil fuels, not just coal. While the US came to support the stronger language, the changes were blocked by other oil-heavy countries.

On the one hand, it is amazing what international cooperation has done in the face of a changing climate. On the other hand, agreements are nothing without implementation. COP27 had many names, including the “COP of implementation,” but the final agreement does not clearly reflect that. 

Importance of States on the International Stage

The importance of implementation is where states come in. As we learned from conversations with the northern Argentinian delegation, the power of US states to set climate policy is fairly unique. And it truly has an impact: many US states have populations, landmasses, economies, and emissions greater than many other countries party to the negotiations. Meeting with administration officials like National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi and CEQ Chair Brenda Mallory, as well as a delegation of mayors and county officials from ICLEI, highlighted the need for increased cooperation to ensure that all levels of government—as well as the private sector and civil society—advance a cohesive climate agenda.

The final text of COP 27 identified the need for action in the following areas, among others. Fortunately, states have many of the tools necessary to respond:

• Emission Reductions: limit global warming to 1.5°C, which requires rapid, deep, and sustained reductions in global GHG emissions of 43% by 2030 relative to the 2019 level. Learn more about state action on emissions reductions.

• Environmental Rights: maintain the right to a clean, healthy environment. Learn more about state action on Green Amendments.

• Biodiversity: address the interlinked crises of climate change and biodiversity loss. Learn more about state action on biodiversity loss.

• Clean Energy Transition: scale up the deployment of renewables. Learn more about state action on renewable portfolio standards.

• Climate Justice: target benefits to the most vulnerable. Learn more about state action on climate justice.

• Greenhouse Gas Mitigation: address non-carbon greenhouse gas emissions. Learn more about state action on GHG mitigation.

• Ocean-Based Solutions: incorporate ocean-based action into climate efforts. Learn more about state action on offshore wind.

• Natural Solutions: incorporate nature-based solutions. Learn more about state action on nature-based climate solutions.

• Adaptation: adapt to climate change. Learn more about state action on climate adaptation.

• Just Transition: pursue a just transition. Learn more about state action on just transitions.

Looking Ahead to COP28

As members of the NCEL delegation shared during their time in Sharm el-Sheikh, all of their states are different. They have different needs, different political realities, and are pursuing different policy strategies. The beauty of something like COP is that it reflects this diversity, but finds consensus—however limited—despite it. The final text of COP27 reflected shared strategies that countries, and by extension states, can implement.  Going into the 2023 legislative session, there’s a chance for all states to find a way to address the climate crisis and set us on the path for COP28 to truly be the “COP of implementation.” 

Meet NCEL’s State Legislator Delegation

Nevada State Assemblymember Howard Watts

Elected in 2018, Assemblymember Watts recently became Chair of the Natural Resources Committee and was named one of NCEL’s Rising Environmental Leaders in 2021. He has played a central role in passing legislation related to climate-friendly transportation, appliance efficiency, and climate adaptation. He is particularly interested in ways climate policy can be designed with explicit justice and equity components. Learn more.

Maryland State Delegate David Fraser-Hidalgo
Since joining the Maryland House of Delegates in 2013, Del. Fraser-Hidalgo has played a leading role in some of Maryland’s landmark climate legislation. He was the primary sponsor of bills that ban fracking in Maryland, provide tax incentives for electric vehicles, and help transition to electric vehicle fleets. Building on his role as an environmental champion, Del. Fraser-Hidalgo also recently joined the NCEL board. Learn more.

Pennsylvania State Representative Chris Rabb
As an NCEL board member and state Representative, Rep. Rabb centers climate action and environmental justice in much of his work. Rep. Rabb was the primary author of a bipartisan 100% renewable energy bill, as well as a host of bills relating to environmental justice, clean energy, and protections against fracking. Learn more.

Washington State Senator Liz Lovelett
Appointed to the Washington Senate in 2019 and since winning reelection in 2020, Senator Lovelett is deeply interested in the ways climate policy can be embedded in transportation, land use, and environmental justice. The policy areas she focuses on include maritime decarbonization, renewable energy with an emphasis on offshore wind and transportation fuels, and forest and marine conservation that protects biodiversity and aids in the prevention of wildfires and flooding. Learn more.