A global platform for climate and biodiversity leadership<\/p>\n
The IUCN is the world\u2019s largest and most diverse environmental network, bringing together governments and organizations to advance solutions that protect ecosystems, wildlife, and communities. Their work underpins global conservation standards, including the internationally recognized Red List of Threatened Species<\/a> and the Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Membership places California alongside national governments, NGOs, and scientific institutions working together to conserve nature and ensure the sustainable use of natural resources.\u00a0<\/p>\n Building on California\u2019s conservation leadership<\/p>\n California continues to lead the nation in environmental action, with goals to achieve carbon neutrality, expand clean energy, and conserve 30% of its lands and coastal waters by 2030<\/a>.<\/p>\n The state\u2019s marine protected area network has also been recognized through the IUCN Green List<\/a>, which highlights protected and conserved areas that meet the highest global standards for effective and equitable management\u2014demonstrating California\u2019s commitment not only to protecting our lands and coastal waters, but to doing so in a way that benefits people and nature alike.<\/p>\n California\u2019s subnational leadership is global. Last week, the California Natural Resources Agency co-led<\/a> the third convening of the Mediterranean Climate Action Partnership (MCAP) in Los Angeles by bringing together leaders from five continents to share on-the-ground climate solutions for wildfire, drought, and extreme heat. MCAP\u2019s 16-member regions span some of the world\u2019s most climate-vulnerable ecosystems, and California is helping turn their shared challenges into shared solutions.<\/p>\n What membership means\u00a0<\/p>\n Through IUCN membership, California will help shape global environmental policy, serve as a model for other subnational governments, and tap into the organizations and experts to strengthen conservation efforts at home.<\/p>\n Key areas of collaboration include expanding tribal stewardship, scaling nature-based solutions, building climate resilience, and protecting marine ecosystems. California will also play a leading role in developing IUCN\u2019s first-ever strategy for subnational governments\u2013elevating the importance of states and provinces in environmental protection, building climate resilience, and protecting marine ecosystems.<\/p>\n Continuing a global commitment<\/p>\n California\u2019s membership reflects a broader commitment to partnering with other jurisdictions to confront the defining environmental challenges of our time. Trump may be in retreat, as climate impacts intensify worldwide, but California is stepping forward\u2013not only as a leader at home, but as a partner on the global stage.<\/p>\n California has helped build the largest domestic and international network of subnational climate cooperation in the world. California\u2019s international partnerships continue to grow and are delivering real-world climate results:\u00a0<\/p>\n Golden State and Global Partnerships\u00a0<\/p>\n United Kingdom (2026): California and the United Kingdom signed a memorandum of understanding <\/a>to tackle climate change and promote sustainable development together. The memorandum of understanding builds on an already strong history of cooperation, and focuses on areas for collaboration including clean energy technologies, climate resilience, decarbonizing transportation, and protecting the natural environment.\u00a0
\nChile (2025): California and Chile signed a memorandum<\/a> of understanding\u00a0 regarding exchanging information, developing best practices, and cooperating on methane emissions reduction. Methane is a highly potent greenhouse gas and the partnership between California and Chile opens up new opportunities for both partners to cooperate on methane reduction in waste, agriculture and energy sectors.
\nColombia (2025): California and Colombia signed a partnership to advance joint efforts on forest conservation<\/a>, methane reduction, climate resilience, and clean energy development. The memorandum of understanding deepens coordination on protecting the Amazon, strengthening biodiversity, and expanding nature-based climate solutions that support sustainable and equitable economic growth.
\nNigeria (2025): California signed a memorandum of understanding with Nigeria<\/a> on sustainable urban transportation, green ports, low-carbon transportation fuels, climate adaptation, methane detection and abatement policies, greenhouse gas emissions and air quality, and academic exchange and university partnerships. The partnership will build upon our shared commitment to sustainable growth, accelerate the transition to zero-emission transportation, and expand opportunities for the next generation.
\nBrazil (2025): Governor Newsom signed a declaration of intention with the Brazilian federal government on innovation, as well as a partnership with the State of Par\u00e1<\/a> to strengthen cooperation on wildfire prevention and response \u2014 enhancing forest monitoring, identifying areas most at risk, and sharing research and expertise to improve firefighting and emergency management. In September 2025, California announced a new partnership with Brazil to advance market-based carbon pricing programs, clean transportation expansion, including zero-emission vehicles and low-carbon fuels, and strengthen air quality management through enhanced monitoring and regulatory controls. The partnership also focuses on the conservation of 30% of lands and coastal waters by 2030, including nature-based solutions and biodiversity protection.
\nKenya (2025): \u00a0California signed a partnership focused on cutting pollution and supporting trade. The partnership advances medium and long-term low carbon-development<\/a>, policy research, development, and innovation in sustainable land use and urban planning that resides long commutes, and urban sprawl, while promoting integrated land use and transport systems.\u00a0<\/p>\n