Common Interests

The environmental and economic consequences of climate change and our dependence on fossil fuels compel both the Commonwealth of Virginia and the United Kingdom to commit to urgent action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote low-carbon technologies.  Virginia and the United Kingdom recognize the linkages between climate change, energy security, human health and robust economic growth.  A low carbon economy is the basis of a prosperous economy, and this crucial transition will bring new technologies, new businesses, and new jobs for our citizens and a cleaner and safer world for generations to come.

Common Purpose

The scientific record compels immediate action to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases.  The United Kingdom has been a stalwart voice for action among the world’s nations over the past two decades.  The Commonwealth of Virginia continues to be a leader in protecting our environment and is proud to join the United Kingdom in calling for immediate world-wide action.  The purpose of this arrangement is to outline an aggressive agenda for partnership that supports the climate control policies of each partner aimed at advancing the economic opportunities presented by the rapid global transition to a low carbon economy.

Partnership Agenda

The United Kingdom and the Commonwealth of Virginia will carry out the following partnership actions:

I. We will aim to promote policies that cut greenhouse gas emissions while opening up new economic opportunities for our citizens.  We will share experiences and strategies for enhancing our long-term economic competitiveness through leadership in the low-carbon technologies that will dominate this century.  The United Kingdom and Virginia will provide information and experience through road shows, high level delegations, educational exchanges and technical assistance.

II. We will aim to improve our public policies that reduce global emissions of greenhouse gases.  Our policy focus will include market-based incentives that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase our respective deployment of renewable energy sources, and increase the energy security of each partner. Virginia commits to working with the United Kingdom and others in discussing best practices on carbon markets and compatibility of design to facilitate the development of a global carbon market.

III. We will aim to improve our science in understanding how climate change is affecting our respective economies, our agriculture, our natural resources, our environmental quality, and our public health.  Our science partnership will include exchange of knowledge, personnel, expertise, and data that mutually benefit our respective scientific communities.

IV. We will work to improve our technologies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions with a particular emphasis on the research, development and deployment of renewable energy generation and storage, energy efficiency, carbon capture and storage, and other advanced energy technologies that may benefit our respective energy sectors.  The United Kingdom and Virginia specifically commit to working together to further uses of ocean wave, tidal and current, offshore wind and waste to energy technologies.

V. We will aim to increase climate-friendly commerce between the United Kingdom and Virginia to bolster our respective economic positions while mutually benefiting each partner.  Areas of particular emphasis will include trade opportunities in renewable and other advanced energy technologies, products that promote increased energy efficiency throughout the economy, and renewable energy feedstocks.

VI. We will work to promote education, training and public awareness on climate change to help empower individuals to make choices that help to reduce waste and greenhouse gas emissions, as well as save consumers money.  The United Kingdom will provide Virginia information on the Act On CO2 public awareness campaign and will provide technical assistance to create a carbon calculator.

Signed on this day, February 12, 2009, in Richmond, VA in the United States of America by:

Sir Nigel Sheinwald on behalf of Ed Miliband, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change, Government of the United Kingdom of
Great Britain and Northern Ireland

Tim Kaine, Governor Commonwealth of Virginia

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