Gov. Ige Joins Panel Discussion at COP26 Climate Change Conference in Scotland

Governor David Ige participated in several events at the COP26 Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, Scotland today. This included a panel discussion called “Role of States and Regions in the Climate Decade” with Oregon Governor Kate Brown, and a press conference entitled “US Governors United on Climate Action and a Net-Zero Future” with Oregon Gov. Kate Brown, Washington State Gov. Jay Inslee and Illinois Gov. J. B. Pritzker.

Gov. Ige outlined what Hawaiʻi has done so far, and initiatives he hopes to implement in the future to combat climate change. They include preparing for electric planes for inter-island flights, requiring state employees to rent electric vehicles when on business trips and planting 100 million trees across the state by 2030.

“We did see one of the silver linings of this pandemic, as all business and organizations found ways to work from home. We saw how rapidly our air cleared and oceans restored vibrant coral communities. And we do know that if we give nature an opportunity, it will help us more than we ever realized,” said Gov. Ige.

Gov. Ige also participated in a US Department of Energy panel discussion with DOE Deputy Secretary David Turk.

Tomorrow, the governor participates in a panel discussion called A State-Federal Partnership for a Net-Zero Future Event.

Gov. Ige is scheduled to participate in the COP26 Climate Change Conference until the end of this week.