The extension following their attendance means Guernsey’s emissions will be reported under the UK’s Nationally Determined Contribution and “reasserts” the island’s commitment to limit global temperature rises to 1.5C. 

“Agreeing the extension of the UK’s ratification of the Paris Agreement to Guernsey has been one of the main objectives of our Government Work Plan, so it’s really 2 good news to be able to get such an important international agreement across the line,” said Deputy Le Tocq. 

“Extending this agreement further highlights our commitment to complying with international standards and our contribution to supporting global efforts to combat climate change; such commitments are especially important when negotiating Guernsey’s participation in international trade agreements.” 

Deputy de Sausmarez said: “We may be a small island, but we, along with every other jurisdiction, have a role to play to take action on climate change. The extension to Guernsey of the Paris Agreement is an important step that formally recognises that role, and we have wasted no time in working towards it. In 2020, we agreed our Climate Change policy with the aim of being carbon neutral by 2050 and with a target of reducing emissions by 57% on 1990 levels by 2030. These objectives have informed policy decisions across our Committee’s mandate, including on energy, housing, transport and biodiversity.  

“A significant step we took this year was the States’ agreement of our Electricity Strategy which will take us up to 2050. With a focus on additional interconnection and locally generated solar energy and wind energy, we’ve laid the foundations for a much more environmentally and economically sustainable future for the island.”