Governor Murphy Signs Memorandum of Understanding with Climate Group, as New Jersey Joins Under2 Coalition

London, UK — Choose New Jersey, New Jersey’s leading nonprofit business attraction organization, as part of its Governor-led mission to the United Kingdom, facilitated the state’s signing of the Global Climate Leadership Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), making New Jersey the newest state to join the Under2 Coalition. The MOU was signed by Governor Phil Murphy and Helen Clarkson, CEO of Climate Group, Secretariat to the Under2 Coalition. Through the MOU, New Jersey joins the largest global network of states and regions committed to achieving greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions mitigation.

“New Jersey has already established one of the most ambitious climate goals in the entire country: running New Jersey on 100% clean energy by 2035,” said New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy. “We are firmly committed to that goal, and with today’s MOU, we are reaffirming our commitment to working alongside our international partners like Climate Group toward our vision for a safer, more sustainable world for generations to come.”

New Jersey is the 17th U.S. state to join the Under2 Coalition. The MOU establishes collaboration between New Jersey and other members in supporting international activities and declarations to respond to climate change, including the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development (1992), the Montreal Declaration (2009), the Cancun Statement (2011), the Lyon Declaration (2011), and the Paris Agreement (2015), by promoting climate adaptation and resilience toward GHG emission reduction. 

“Climate Group is proud to welcome New Jersey as the latest state that pledges to reduce emissions by activating every academic, industry, and economic resource at their disposal,” said Helen Clarkson, CEO of Climate Group. “The US elections have only added to the importance of decisive climate leadership and action at state level, to drive the change we need. Through this Memorandum of Understanding, the Under2 Coalition adds another important ally to its ranks to reduce climate risks, and work on adaptation and resilience alongside local businesses that are taking action toward a greener future.”

New Jersey’s clean energy sector employs over 93,000 people across nearly 6,500 establishments and is home to the most solar capacity per capita and the largest amount of solar capacity installed in the United States.

“New Jersey, more than ever, is open for clean energy business at every level of the industry,” said Wesley Mathews, President and CEO of Choose New Jersey. “Our incentive programs and desirable location make our State the ideal place for projects in electric vehicles, solar, and offshore wind, while reliable grid connectivity allows companies to meet forward-thinking goals in accordance with New Jersey’s strategic vision for a clean energy future.”

To view the full MOU, click here.

Reporters interested in more information on the New Jersey United Kingdom economic mission may contact Mahen Gunaratna (mahen.gunaratna@nj.gov) and Ingrid Austin (iaustin@choosenj.com) or visit choosenj.com/UKMission for additional details.

About Climate Group

Climate Group is an international non-profit, launched in 2004, with offices in London, 

Amsterdam, Beijing, New Delhi, and New York. Our mission is to drive climate action, fast. Our goal is a world of net zero carbon emissions by 2050, with greater prosperity for all. We do this by forming powerful networks of business and government, unlocking the power of collective action and scale to move whole systems such as energy, transport, industry, and food to a cleaner future. Together, we’re helping to shift global markets and policies towards faster reductions in carbon emissions.

About Choose New Jersey

Choose New Jersey is the State’s leading non-profit business attraction organization. We harness the collective power of New Jersey’s business, government, labor, and academic sectors to expand New Jersey’s economy. We work globally, using our marketing expertise, concierge business development services, deep knowledge of the State, and convening power, in collaboration with State government, to empower businesses, entrepreneurs, leaders, and innovators to make New Jersey their home. To learn more, visit choosenj.com.