U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) traveled to Scotland for the United Nations climate conference, called COP26, representing the U.S. and Hawaii.
Schatz said Hawaii has become a leader in climate change adaptation, Honolulu Civil Beat reported.
"America is back in the fight against climate change, and Hawaii continues to lead the way. At COP26, I spoke about our commitments on clean energy and ocean preservation and urged the world to join us. Together, we’ll solve the most important issue of our time," Schatz said in a Facebook post Nov. 9.
The Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative has committed to shift to 100% clean energy by 2045, Honolulu Civil Beat reported. The climate conference is scheduled to end on Friday, Nov. 12. It is cited as being the most significant climate change meeting since the Paris Agreement of 2015.
“I’m also here in partnership with the Biden administration to send a message to the world that America is back,” Schatz said, according to Honolulu Civil Beat. “The good news is that we are now on the cusp of making the biggest climate action in U.S. history.”
Schatz arrived at COP26 on Nov. 5. Hawaii has committed to protect 30% of Hawaii's water before 2030. Schatz does not think that goes far enough and wants a federal carbon tax in America, which is not included in President Joe Biden's climate plans.
When he arrived in Scotland for the conference, Schatz met with leaders from Brazil and France to discuss the Forest Act, which he introduced to the U.S. Senate in October. The bill would disincentivize deforestation and increase monitoring of illegal deforestation.