• Bookstore

The Western Climate Initiative is made up of Arizona, British Columbia, California, Manitoba, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah and Washington.  It was launched in February 2007 to "identify, evaluate and implement collective and cooperative ways to reduce greenhouse gases in the region."

The WCI partners committed to "do their share" to reduce regional GHG emissions sufficient over the long term to significantly lower the risk of dangerous threats to the climate. Current science suggests that this will require worldwide reductions between 50% and 85% in carbon dioxide emissions from current levels by 2050.

In the face of continued US Federal reluctance to commit to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the WCI is keen to "encourage participation by additional US states, tribes, Canadian provinces, and Mexican states that are making comparable efforts to combat climate change."

Linda Adams, Secretary of the California Environmental Protection Agency, said:
"We are very excited to announce that California and 7 other states have come together to announce a goal to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2020.  California has already taken pretty dramatic actions on its own, including signing the Global Warming Solutions Act AB32.  We're moving aggressively to implement that act through energy efficiency measures, clean car regulations, a low carbon fuel standard and other similar measures."

Governor Schwarzenegger added:
"Climate change is a global problem that requires a global solution. California is proud to be among the Western Climate Initiative partners taking this important step to establish the most comprehensive regional greenhouse gas emission reduction goal in North America. Our collective commitment will build a successful regional system to be linked with other efforts across the nation and eventually the world."

It is anticipated that the total reductions will exceed 350 million metric tons.

Besides the current eight members of the WCI partnership, there are eight additional 'observers' who may join the WCI commitment.  They are: Colorado, Kansas, Nevada, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Sonora and Wyoming.