California climate delegation returns from Dubai celebrating historic agreement on fossil fuel transition at United Nation's COP28

DUBAI - California’s legislative delegation, led by Speaker Robert Rivas, and Senators and Assemblymembers from a diverse range of communities and backgrounds, arrived at COP28 motivated but skeptical, as historically, fossil fuel giants like Putin and Chevron have been able to scuttle any progress in the transition from fossil fuels. 

In a surprise, on the final day of the conference, the parties agreed to final text that for the first time in history includes a commitment to, “transitioning away from fossil fuels in energy systems, in a just, orderly and equitable manner.” The COP28 agreement also acknowledges the significant challenges and tough choices that face every major economy’s transition.

In meetings with more than 20 national and subnational governments from across the world, California, the largest subnational delegation at the conference emphasized the state’s leadership in liberating drivers and our economy from fossil fuels, as California remains the third largest petroleum consumer on the planet (behind the US & China).  This imperative cannot be met with words alone, but with practical policy, new alliances that defy attempts to pit labor against climate justice, and an unprecedented scale of public and private investment. 

This transition will require not only verbal agreements but also concrete timelines, jobs and equity-driven policies that leave no one behind, brave new deployment of innovative technology, smarter use of natural and working lands, game changing scales of investment, and protections for frontline communities and the workers that make our current economy go.

The concrete culmination of COP28 will supercharge California’s efforts back home, and it can no longer be said that California is going it alone in the United States.  While California is leading the way, 198 countries around the world are also now officially running in the same direction. The era of California drivers being held over a barrel at the pump is ending.

COP28 LEGISLATIVE DELEGATION.

Senators: Caballero, Durazo, Hurtado, Limon, Stern. Assemblymembers: Speaker Rivas, Bauer-Kahan, Berman, Haney, Papan, Addis and Wood.

Speaker Rivas statement: “California’s leadership is at the vanguard of renewable-energy investment, and our state’s commitment is ongoing proof that big economies can thrive while transitioning away from fossil fuels. The agreement at COP28 means everyone on this planet will join our state in moving past coal, oil, and gas. That is very significant. It was an honor to represent California at the conference.”