Gov. Jerry Brown has welcomed Norway to the Under2 Coalition – a global pact of cities, states and countries committed to limiting the increase in global average temperature to below 2 degrees Celsius, the level of potentially catastrophic consequences.

“In the face of irreversible climate change, the world’s cities, states and countries must decarbonize and get on a sustainable path,” Brown said. “California is proud to partner with Norway in this fight.”

The agreement was signed during a meeting between Brown and Vidar Helgesen, Norway’s minister of climate and the environment. Numerous representatives from California and Norway joined the meeting, including Ambassador of Norway to the United States Kåre R. Aas, Consul General Hilde Janne Skorpen and California Environmental Protection Agency Secretary Matt Rodriquez.

Gov. Jerry Brown (left) formally welcomed Norway to the Under2 Coalition by signing an agreement with Vidar Helgesen, Norway’s minister of climate and the environment. (photo by Joe McHugh/ California Highway Patrol)

“I am very grateful for Governor Brown’s leadership on climate change over the last decades. Norway and California are both dedicated to the low-emission future we need,” Helgesen said. “The governor’s decision to host a major climate summit in September 2018 will show the world that the U.S. is making progress regardless of federal policies. Norway is very pleased to join the coalition of forward leaning states and countries in the Under2 Coalition, and is prepared to contribute financially and otherwise to the implementation of this important initiative.”

With the addition of Norway’s endorsement, the Under2 Coalition now includes 177 jurisdictions on six continents that collectively represent more than 1.2 billion people and $28.8 trillion gross domestic product – equivalent to over 16 percent of the global population and 39 percent of the global economy. Norway is the 16th country to endorse the Under2 Coalition. Coalition members pledge to limit greenhouse gas emissions to two tons per capita, or 80 to 95 percent below 1990 levels, by 2050.

Last month, on the eve of the G20 Summit in Germany, Brown announced that California will convene the world’s climate leaders in San Francisco in September 2018 for the Global Climate Action Summit. Representatives from subnational governments, businesses, investors and others will gather with the goal of supporting the Paris Agreement.

In June, Brown joined the governors of Washington and New York to form the U.S. Climate Alliance, which now includes 14 U.S. states committed to achieving the U.S. goal of reducing emissions 26 to 28 percent from 2005 levels and meeting or exceeding the targets of the federal Clean Power Plan. Additionally, Brown recently signed landmark legislation that extends and improves the state’s world-leading cap-and-trade program. For information, visit under2MOU.org.