California, Scotland to Jointly Fight Climate Change

The governments of the US State of California and Scotland have signed an agreement to join hands to fight climate change.

The agreement was signed on Monday by Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Governor of California Edmund G Brown, CNBC reported.

Among other things, the memorandum of understanding states both California and Scotland are looking to "capitalize on the huge potential of the Under2 MoU, the ambitious subnational commitment to bold and decisive climate action covering over one billion people and over a third of the global economy to which both jurisdictions are signatories".

Signatories to the Under2 MoU agreement have committed to either cut greenhouse gas emissions by 80-95% below 1990 levels or to limit emissions to less than two metric tons per capita by mid-century.

"Scotland is making huge progress in delivering our climate change ambitions, but we are not complacent and there is still much to achieve," Sturgeon said.

"Today's meeting strengthened our relationship with the government of California and I'm confident we can work together to achieve the targets set out by the Under2 MoU."

For its part, California has ambitious plans on renewable energy and climate change. The state has set itself the target of generating 50% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030 and has committed to cutting petroleum use in cars and trucks by as much as 50% in the next 15 years.

Environmental groups welcomed the agreement.

"It is good to see climate action high on the agenda of Scotland's first minister on her trip to the United States," Lou Leonard, WWF-US's senior vice president for climate change and energy, said in a statement.

"This is a strong reminder that climate change is a priority for our allies across the world," Leonard added.