As climate targets tighten globally, governments are increasingly called upon to translate ambitious national commitments into actionable, sector-specific strategies that deliver real emission reductions. Carbon budgets, setting a finite, science-based limit on emissions over a defined period, are emerging as a critical tool to guide this transition.
While national carbon budgets exist in some countries, few subnational governments have taken the step of adopting regional carbon budgets broken down by sector. Doing so provides a transparent framework for driving climate action across industry, transport, agriculture, buildings, etc., while fostering accountability and innovation at all levels.
Catalonia has become one of the first regions in the world to formally approve its own regional carbon budgets, disaggregated by economic sector, as a central pillar of its climate policy. Developed in a collaboration between the Government and an independent panel of climate crisis experts, and aligned with the Paris Agreement, these budgets set 2030 decarbonization targets that will guide the territory’s economic and spatial planning for years to come.
Carbon budgeting remains a pioneering and underutilized governance tool globally. This event will explore how regions and states can use carbon budgets to accelerate climate action, ensure fair transition pathways, and build resilience.
This session at will create space for governmental leaders, technical experts, and stakeholders to share experiences, discuss challenges, and explore solutions for designing and implementing effective carbon budgets
Speakers:
Jean Lemire, Envoy for Climate Change, Northern and Arctic Affairs, Government of Québec (TBC)
Assiata M. B. Camara, New York’s City Commissioner for International Affairs, New York City (TBC)
Paola Bauche Petersen, Secretary of Environment and Territory Development of the Government of the State of Jalisco (TBC)
Sonsoles Letang, Director General for Climate Change and Environmental Quality, Government of Catalonia