California supports having strong national policy on climate change that can serve as a model for national and sub-national governments."
Ms Linda S Adams
Quote of the Day
Policy measures should take away the temptation for older inefficient technologies."
Mr Harry Verhaar
Quote of the Day
Transition from fossil fuel to renewable energy is truly in line with principles of sustainable development."
HE Mr Jan Dusik
Quote of the Day
Experience shows that action by government is required to forge partnerships and provide incentive to drive research and development."
HE Mr Paul Magnette
Quote of the Day
Careful environment policies can drive positive economic forces."
Dr Wakako Hironaka
Quote of the Day
Time for advancing renewable energy is now."
Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber
Quote of the Day
Resource efficiency in production systems should be coupled with energy efficiency and optimal water use."
Prof Kandeh Yumkella
Quote of the Day
Developing country should leapfrog technology approaches of the developed countries."
Ms Michele de Neveres
Quote of the Day
The more and more we react in life, the more and more we are going to mess up our life inside and outside."
Swami Sukhabodhananda
Quote of the Day
Ordinary paradigm is - whatever is mine is good. Extraordinary paradigm is - whatever is good, can it be mine."
Swami Sukhabodhananda
Climate Change and Local Government
Dr Tayeb Kamali, Vice Chancellor, The Higher Colleges of Technology,
UAE, chaired and moderated the session. The speakers shared
their experiences and examples of climate change policies
and strategies in the local context.
The session concluded with a voting on the question – ‘Do you think institutions of local government are capable enough to implement climate strategies?’ Around 58% of the respondents voted - ‘Yes, but with more capacity’.
Speakers
She elaborated on the initiatives of the State of California with respect to climate change mitigation. She mentioned that California had a long history of environmental stewardship, and will continue to take steps to ensure that sub national governments are equipped to address the threats of global warming.
She talked about the initiatives taken by Germany for reducing carbon emissions. She emphasized on the need to increase the share of renewable energy. Although Germany’s climate policy is mainly at a national level, she opined that a lot can be done at sub national level too.
He shared the Japanese example of 30,000 municipalities entering into contracts with local enterprises for maintaining standards, which are stricter than the national standards. While recognizing the importance of finances and new technologies, he emphasized that a lot can be achieved without it through the ingenuity of local governments, and policy measures and incentives for local action by national governments.
Ms Linda S Adams Secretary for Environmental Protection, California Environmental Protection Agency
HE Ms Barbel Hohn Former Minister
of the Environment of North-Rhine Westphalia, Vice-chair of the
Green Party Parliamentary Group, Germany
Mr Mutsuyoshi Nishimura Special
Advisor to the Cabinet in charge of Climate Change, Japan
He talked about the need for engagement, capacity building and resource allocation at a local level. He called for adoption of a bottom-up approach to tackle climate change.
He recognized local governments as agents of change rather than being merely implementing agencies. According to him, local governments have a stronger impetus to change, as climate change impacts are felt locally.
He observed how local government and city leaders along with enterprises are leading, and will continue to lead the shift towards low carbon growth. He discussed the challenge of communication and of removing the lack of public understanding of what a sustainable society is.
Mr I H Rehman Director-Social
Transformation, TERI, India
Dr Tayeb Kamali, Vice Chancellor, The Higher Colleges of Technology,
UAE, chaired and moderated the session. The speakers shared
their experiences and examples of climate change policies
and strategies in the local context. 
