King County Executive Constantine in China for climate summit

King County Executive Dow Constantine is in Beijing to participate in a summit where leaders of U.S. and Chinese metropolitan regions will build upon the landmark 2014 agreement by President Obama and President Xi to reduce carbon emissions.

  • BY Wire Service
  • Monday, June 6, 2016 3:14pm
  • News
King County Executive Dow Constantine.

King County Executive Dow Constantine.

King County Executive Dow Constantine is in Beijing this week to participate in a summit where leaders of U.S. and Chinese metropolitan regions will build upon the landmark 2014 agreement by President Obama and President Xi to reduce carbon emissions.

Constantine was one of 20 elected leaders across the nation invited by the U.S. Department of State to represent the United States in the summit where they will meet with leaders from 40 Chinese cities.

“King County’s reputation as a national leader in confronting climate change continues to grow,” said Constantine in a county media release. “I look forward to meeting with other metropolitan leaders from across the United States and China and sharing cutting-edge ideas to create greener communities.”

The second U.S.-China Climate-Smart/Low-Carbon Cities Summit is a public-private partnership between the U.S. Department of State and the Chinese government. It’s organized by C40 Cities – a global nonprofit organization helping cities address climate change – and the Compact of Mayors, a coalition of cities committed to reducing local greenhouse gas emissions and making cities more resilient to climate change. It was launched by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Event organizers are paying for Constantine’s travel expenses, according to county officials.

King County has received national recognition for its work to confront climate change through collaborations, increasing transit options, promoting urban density, conserving forests and open spaces, and significantly reducing the county’s energy consumption.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently recognized the King County-Cities Collaboration – a partnership between the county and 14 cities committed to dramatically reducing greenhouse gas emissions – with its Innovative Partnership Climate Leadership Award. Kent is not one of the 14 cities in the partnership.

King County’s updated Strategic Climate Action Plan – described by Earth Day co-founder Denis Hayes as the “best” he’s seen – provides direction to achieve bold targets.

Constantine recently launched a new partnership to plant one million trees across King County 2020 to reduce carbon pollution.

The Beijing summit builds on the foundation created by the landmark 2014 agreement announced by President Obama and President Xi to reduce carbon emissions. The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment in 2015 in advance of the historic climate change summit in Paris where participating nations agreed to capping carbon emissions as soon as possible.

It will feature more than a dozen sessions to share cutting-edge approaches to building low-carbon, climate-resilient communities.

 


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in News

Courtesy Photo, King County
Prolific tagger faces charges for damage to Kent water tower

Man one of dozens who reportedly tagged properties across King County, including West Hill tower

t
Federal Way man charged in Kent I-5 crash that killed passenger

Documents state that evidence reportedly showed he was the driver, but he blamed the passenger.

The Kent Police Department went all out with their “Moana” themed display - even Maui showed up. Photo by Bailey Jo Josie/Sound Publishing.
The Hogwarts Express pulls into Battle of the Badges | Photos

The 2024 Battle of the Badges took over the Renton Technical College on Dec. 14.

Kent Police Chief Rafael Padilla. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent Police
City of Kent crime numbers drop in 2024 compared to 2023

Vehicle thefts, commercial burglaries and robberies see big decreases

Courtesy Photo, Kent School District
Kent School District says it ‘will do better next time’ with school closures

Late notifications issued about closures after Dec. 18 windstorm

t
Kent Police arrest pair for downtown robbery of pedestrian

Reportedly used pepper spray to attack Kent man, 56, as he walked on sidewalk Dec. 16

Meeker Middle School, one of six schools closed Wednesday, Dec. 18 in the Kent School District due to power outages from a windstorm. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District
Windstorm causes closure of six Kent schools due to power outages

Four elementary, two middle schools closed Wednesday, Dec. 18; couple of city roads closed

Volunteers wrap gifts during the 2023 Toys for Joy program. COURTESY PHOTO, Puget Sound Fire
Puget Sound Fire puts out plea for more Toys for Joy donations

Toys needed for children ages 9 to 12; more bikes, scooters requested; deadline is Dec. 20

t
Kent man, 19, faces multiple charges after pursuit near Wenatchee

Driver reportedly fails to stop for state trooper, crashes stolen vehicle along State Route 97

Kent School District Board Director Awale Farah, left, and Superintendent Israel Vela at a high school graduation last summer. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District
Awale Farah resigns immediately from Kent School Board

Says because of ‘family commitments’ he cannot fulfill rest of his term that expires in November 2025

t
Kent’s Lower Russell Levee project receives John Spellman Award

City, King County Flood District and other partners recognized for historic preservation

Northwood Middle School, 17007 SE 184th St., in unincorporated part of King County in Renton and part of the Kent School District. COURTESY PHOTO, Kent School District
Calls about man trying to access Northwood Middle School causes lockdown

Deputies arrest man for investigation of resisting arrest, obstruction at Kent School District property