As we make our way through pollen season and consider the IPCC’s Sixth Assessment Report, there are several nuggets that give us that extra push to champion climate action and climate justice.
Here are a few of the highlights from the IPPC’s Headlines report:
Mitigation Pathways
All global modelled pathways that limit warming to 1.5°C (>50%) with no or limited overshoot, and those that limit warming to 2°C (>67%), involve rapid and deep and, in most cases, immediate greenhouse gas emissions reductions in all sectors this decade.
Near-Term Action Deep, rapid and sustained mitigation and accelerated implementation of adaptation actions in this decade would reduce projected losses and damages for humans and ecosystems (very high confidence), and deliver many co-benefits, especially for air quality and health.”
Equity and Inclusion
Prioritizing equity, climate justice, social justice, inclusion and just transition processes can enable adaptation and ambitious mitigation actions and climate resilient development
Governance and Policies
Effective climate action is enabled by political commitment, well-aligned multilevel governance, institutional frameworks, laws, policies and strategies and enhanced access to finance and technology.
If I had to explain this in less politically couched text it would say something like:
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We need to turn our emissions trajectory down, on a dime, this decade!
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Acting now will reduce the inevitable losses brought from climate change and improve air quality and health.
As usual when I read anything from the IPCC, I think, “let’s get in gear!” Depending on your age or life’s circumstances let’s all think that it is: cocktail hour before the prices go up, or picking up your child before the daycare penalties start piling up or getting up early to beat the crowds on your hike! In the spirit of that urgency, this spring COTE advocacy is working on a renewed mission and prioritization of actions.
Our current short list includes:
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Collecting maps of enacted decarbonization policy (operational and embodied standards), sharing tactics to get performance standards legislated, all in service of creating some replicable actions and primers for COTE members across the country
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Connecting members to resources and actions related to IRA (Inflation Reduction Act) Funding
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Working with the COTE Network team on an August Pecha Kucha call that is tentatively themed around Policy and Advocacy
As we had mentioned in our last newsletter, this year COTE Advocacy is reconnecting with the Government Advocacy Committee. A few updates from them include:
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Considering advocacy steps for the 6% cap on federal contracts
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Federal Policy actions around the Architect of the Capitol, Historic Preservation, R&D Tax Credits, and Building Energy Code grants as they relate to IRA
Remembering that big problems need radical collaboration; we welcome you to join as we strive to meet the challenge of net zero emissions as quickly as possible. If you are interested in becoming part of the COTE Advocacy group, or even commenting on what you would like us to advocate for, please reach out to us via cote@aia.org.