Under2 Coalition
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| Under2 Coalition | |
|---|---|
 NASA · Public domain · source | |
| Name | Under2 Coalition |
| Formation | 2015 |
| Type | Coalition of subnational governments |
| Headquarters | London |
| Region served | Global |
| Membership | Subnational jurisdictions |
Under2 Coalition The Under2 Coalition is a global network of subnational jurisdictions committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in line with targets consistent with the Paris Agreement and pathways to limit global warming to well below 2 °C. Founded in 2015 during the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris, the initiative brings together states, provinces, regions and cities to coordinate climate change policy, share best practices and mobilize low-carbon investment.
History
The coalition was launched at the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris by leaders including officials from California, Bavaria, Ontario and New South Wales alongside representatives from Climate Group, ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability and the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group. Early milestones included a signing event at the Le Bourget conference center and a series of commitments timed with subsequent meetings such as the Conference of the Parties sessions in Marrakesh and Katowice. Over time the network expanded through announcements at forums like the World Economic Forum in Davos and the UN General Assembly high-level dialogues, while aligning with initiatives such as the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy and the We Are Still In coalition.
Membership and Governance
Membership comprises subnational governments from diverse jurisdictions such as California, New York (state), São Paulo, Baden-Württemberg, Tokyo Metropolis, Quebec, Scotland, Catalonia, Victoria, Basque Country, Gauteng and British Columbia. The coalition’s governance has involved partner organizations including The Climate Group, C40 Cities, ICLEI, World Resources Institute and think tanks like Chatham House and the Rocky Mountain Institute which assist with technical support, verification and secretariat functions. Leadership mechanisms have featured steering committees, regional hubs and periodic assemblies timed with international events such as the G20 summits and regional forums like the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meetings.
Climate Commitments and Targets
Members pledge to pursue net-zero or deep decarbonization targets consistent with pathways modeled by agencies such as the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the International Energy Agency. Many signatories adopt time-bound goals (e.g., net-zero by 2050, 2045 or earlier), sectoral targets for transportation electrification, buildings efficiency retrofits and renewable energy deployment, and economy-wide emissions intensity reductions aligned with scenarios from the IPCC Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5 °C and reports by the IEA World Energy Outlook. Targets are often expressed in statute or strategic plans at the level of bodies like the California Air Resources Board, Scotland’s Climate Change Act, Quebec’s 2030 Plan, or regional strategies in Bavaria and New South Wales.
Actions and Programs
The coalition facilitates programs such as peer-to-peer policy exchange, technical assistance for greenhouse gas accounting using standards like the Global Protocol for Community-Scale Greenhouse Gas Emission Inventories and capacity-building workshops with institutions including UNEP and UNDP. Members implement measures spanning public transit investments (e.g., projects analogous to TransMilenio and Crossrail), renewable procurement and power purchase agreements similar to deals in Los Angeles and Sydney, building codes inspired by Passivhaus and energy performance standards used by Germany, and nature-based solutions reflecting work in Amazonas (Brazilian state) and British Columbia forest management. The network also supports pilot projects on methane reduction in line with partnerships like the Global Methane Initiative and collaborates on low-emission fuel standards comparable to California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard.
Funding and Partnerships
Funding sources and partnerships include philanthropic foundations such as the Bloomberg Philanthropies, multilateral development banks like the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank, and private sector alliances that mirror collaborations with firms appearing at the World Economic Forum. Financial mechanisms promoted include green bonds, blended finance vehicles, and regional investment platforms similar to initiatives by the European Investment Bank and Inter-American Development Bank. Technical partnerships involve research organizations such as Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Grantham Research Institute, Energy Transitions Commission and consultancies that advise member jurisdictions on policy design and project finance.
Impact and Criticism
Proponents credit the coalition with accelerating subnational action reflected in emissions inventories in places like California, Scotland, Quebec and Baden-Württemberg, fostering policy diffusion with models adopted across regions and informing international discourse at the Paris Agreement follow-up processes and UNFCCC technical dialogues. Critics argue that voluntary pledges may lack consistent accountability mechanisms, point to variance in measurement and reporting practices among members, and note that ambition gaps persist when compared with modeled pathways in IPCC assessments. Further critiques highlight potential equity concerns raised by civil society groups and research centers such as Friends of the Earth and academic critiques from universities including University of Oxford and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.