Gov. Brown traveling to UN climate change conference

Governor Kate Brown’s office said Friday that on Monday she will announce her attendance at the UN Climate Change Conference in Bonn, Brown also will sign executive orders in Portland on Monday that move the state toward greater energy efficiency and toward goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase the use of clean energy, while supporting Oregon’s economy.

Here’s the rest of the news release from the governor’s office:

At the UN Climate Conference in Bonn next week, Governor Brown will highlight the economic development opportunities and jobs supported by green innovation and affirm Oregon’s commitment to fighting climate change. Governor Brown is expected to be the highest-ranking woman elected official representing the United States at the climate change conference. She will be joined by California Governor Jerry Brown and Washington Governor Jay Inslee.

“Despite the decision by the White House to retreat from leadership on climate, I see it as not only our moral obligation, but an economic imperative to lead in the fight against climate change and fulfill the goals of the Paris Agreement,” Brown said. “The Paris Agreement is a blueprint for job creation, stability, and global prosperity. It is our best chance we have to create jobs, promote trade, spur innovation, and preserve American competitiveness in a 21st century economy.

“While Oregon is a small part of the global climate challenge, we are playing a leading role in finding innovative solutions to preserve our natural resources, reduce carbon, and prepare Oregon for the clean energy economy of the future. I look forward to taking this message to Bonn, Germany, where I’ll travel to attend the International Climate Change Conference.”

On Monday, Governor Brown will be joined by Portland Mayor Ted Wheeler for the signing of the executive orders at the Field Office, a green commercial development project still under construction in northwest Portland.

The executive orders take steps to increase the use of clean energy and direct state agencies to develop a strategy to achieve net zero energy ready buildings as standard practice in buildings across the state. Energy efficiency is a critical and growing portion of the Oregon’s clean energy economy, and maximizing energy efficiency in buildings is one of the best and least costly ways to achieve emissions reductions in the energy system.