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Legislative News and Views - Rep. Frank Hornstein (DFL)

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Rep. Hornstein attends UN Climate Conference, cites mixed results as a need for urgent, renewed efforts

Monday, November 21, 2022

St. Paul, MN - Last week, State Representative Frank Hornstein (DFL - Minneapolis) attended COP27, the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference, held this year in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. Rep. Hornstein was among several US state legislators in attendance as observers to talks that resulted in a historic deal to financially assist countries hit hardest by climate change, though no agreement was reached on cutting emissions. 

"I applaud yesterday's agreement among the approximately 200 nations present at the UN Climate Conference to create a first of its kind loss and damage fund. Creation of the fund was a key demand of smaller nations that are experiencing severe impacts from climate change,” said Rep. Hornstein. “Despite this important development, however, the summit ended without a significant commitment to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions to levels that scientists warn are necessary to avoid catastrophic damage to the planet. Wealthier nations who are the primary drivers of climate change must do more to address the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 52 percent over the next seven years - a figure scientists cite as critical to avoid the most catastrophic impacts of climate change.

“Given this reality, I will continue to work in my capacity as the incoming chair of the Transportation Finance and Policy Committee in the Minnesota House of Representatives to promote policies and actions to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the transportation sector, which constitutes the largest source of emissions in Minnesota"

More information on the decisions adopted at this year’s conference can be found here. Rep. Hornstein did not expend state funds or receive compensation from any organization for his attendance at the conference. Rep. Hornstein is currently traveling in Israel and is available for press interviews today until 4:00 PM Central Time, and Tuesday, November 22, from noon to 4:00 PM Central Time, via his cell phone number 612-965-3406.