“The reality is that it is the work being undertaken by sub-national governments that have driven most of our climate change reforms to date," he said.

“It is our level regional and local levels of Government that will be doing all of the heavy lifting on motivating and ensuring the community massively reduces its carbon output.
 
“Global climate change activitists, The Climate Group, contend that sub-national governments such as ours will be responsible for progressing 80 per cent of mitigation and 100 per cent of adaptation policies."

Rann was meeting with Schwarzenegger to advance the objectives of the States and Regions Network, of which the State of California is a member.
 
“It is leaders of government such as Governor Schwarzenegger in California, Premier Gary Doer in Manitoba Canada, Jean Charest in Quebec as well as the South Australian Government that have determined the rate and extent of reform on climate change.
 
Rann said the group was negotiating a deal for sub-national governments for the United Nations Climate Change Conferences in Copenhagen in December.
 
“The purpose of Copenhagen is to reach a new pact to follow the Kyoto Protocol, which expires in 2012," Rann said.
 
“In parallel with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change in Copenhagen will be The Climate Group’s 2009 Climate Leaders Summit – States and Regions Network, chaired by me.
 
The States and Regions Network first met in Posnan, Poland last December during which the group set energy efficiency and renewable energy targets in areas of efficiency, renewables, clean transport and land-use."
 
The group also called for formal recognition of the role of subnational governments in implementing climate change mitigation and adaptation measures under international climate change agreements.
 
“South Australia is recognised internationally now as a global leader in tackling the impacts of climate change," he said.