Rogero to participate in U.S.- China climate-carbon summit June 7-8

Rogero

Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero will jet set to Beijing next week to participate in the second U.S.-China Climate-Smart/Low-Carbon Cities Summit, where mayors from the two countries will demonstrate commitment to climate action and share experiences in building low-carbon, climate-resilient communities with U.S. and Chinese state and local government, private sector, and civil society leaders, according to one of the wordiest press releases I've read.

(Yes that was all one sentence although I added the "jet set" part. Heh.)

The Summit is set for June 7-8 at the Beijing International Hotel Convention Center.

“When nations across the world committed to climate action through the Paris Agreement in December 2015, our city had already demonstrated leadership and progress in planning for a low-carbon future,” Rogero said in a statement. “The United States and China are the two largest contributors to carbon emissions globally, but we are also coming together to work toward solutions to climate change. Our work as cities will help enable both countries to meet the ambitious climate targets announced by President Obama and President Xi in November 2015 and to meet the Paris Agreement climate goals."

She added:  “That’s why local leaders from both countries are convening for the second year in a row, this year in Beijing, to demonstrate the strength of our intentions and our work to form smart cities of the future. By attending and participating in this Summit, we will share successful policies and practices that we are already implementing here in Knoxville, such as comprehensive energy efficiency improvements that reduced the energy use intensity of City buildings by more than 20 percent between 2010 and 2015.  Sharing this information will encourage stronger local action in cities across China, and we’ll hear ideas from other participants about additional steps we can take to make Knoxville more sustainable and resilient.”

                                                   

Rogero’s invitation from the White House to participate in the summit follows the City of Knoxville’s commitment to local climate action here in Knoxville as well as a strong commitment by the Compact of Mayors, a global coalition of over 500 mayors and city officials pledging to reduce local greenhouse gas emissions, enhance resilience to climate change, and track progress transparently. Erin Gill, Director of the City’s Office of Sustainability, will also attend to participate in Summit proceedings.