BC Premier John Horgan signed a new partnership agreement with American leaders Thursday to “recommit” the Pacific Northwest to a “low-carbon, climate-resilient future.”.Horgan travelled to San Francisco where he was hosted by the city’s Mayor London Breed, and joining him was California Governor Gavin Newsom, Oregon Governor Kate Brown, and Washington Governor Jay Inslee..The newly minted Statement of Cooperation is intended to further promote long-standing collaboration between the four regional governments with respect to “accelerating the transition to a low-carbon economy,” such as putting money toward infrastructure like electric vehicle charging stations, to name one example..The agreement builds on past collaboration through the Pacific Coast Collaborative, a coalition that former BC Premier Christy Clark tied the province onto in 2013 by signing the Pacific Coast Action Plan on Climate and Energy, also in San Francisco..Three years later the plan was updated and renamed the Pacific Coast Climate Leadership Action Plan..The new agreement signed by Horgan includes the following commitments:.support an equitable and just transition to a low carbon and climate resilient future, emphasizing investments in overburdened communities;invest in climate infrastructure, such as EV charging stations, green ports, and a clean and reliable electric grid across the region; andprotect communities and natural and working lands from wildfire, drought, heat waves, ocean acidification and flooding..“Here on the Pacific Coast of North America, we’ve been on the front lines of the climate crisis — both experiencing its most devastating impacts and leading the world in developing solutions to reduce carbon pollution,” said Horgan Thursday..“By signing this statement of co-operation, we’re building on our strengths as leaders in climate action and positioning ourselves for success in a clean energy economy. Working together, we’re charting a path to a cleaner, stronger future with good jobs and opportunities for people on both sides of the border.”.Newsom shared Horgan's excitement..“In California, we punch above our weight when it comes to climate action — but our actions can only do so much without the rest of the world at our side,” said Newsom..“The Pacific Coast is raising the bar for tackling the climate crisis while also ensuring every community is included in our efforts. The West will continue to lead the way toward a carbon-free future that supports our economy, our people and our planet.”.North America’s Pacific Coast region represents 57-million people with a combined GDP of $3.5-trillion. Through BC's involvement in the Pacific Coast Collaborative, as entwined by Clark in 2013, the province will work with the broader region towards the shared goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions “at least” 80% by 2050..Clark regularly advocated for "strong and balanced climate action" through her partnerships with various initiatives, such as the Carbon Pricing Leadership Coalition, an initiative run by the World Bank that "catalyzes action towards the successful implementation of carbon pricing around the world.".BC was the first jurisdiction in North America to introduce a "broad-based carbon tax" under the BC Liberals in 2008.
