ST. PAUL, MN — Yesterday afternoon British Ambassador to the United States, Sir Kim Darroch, met with Governor Mark Dayton to discuss how the UK and Minnesota can work together to promote clean growth and energy efficiency.
The Ambassador’s meetings in Minnesota were a part of his #GreatGreenRoadTrip across the Midwest in a Jaguar I-PACE, the British manufacturer’s first-ever all electric vehicle.
Together Ambassador Darroch and Governor Dayton reviewed areas of potential collaboration between the UK and Minnesota including wind power and electric vehicles.
The Ambassador said:
“Governor Dayton’s Climate Solutions and Economic Opportunities Initiative aligns well with the UK’s Clean Growth Strategy, as both seek to reduce emissions while growing the economy.
“It was great to meet with the Governor to discuss ways the UK and Minnesota may be able to partner in this area of shared economic and environmental importance.”
Governor Mark Dayton said:
“Minnesota has made great progress in advancing our clean energy economy. Now, 25 percent of our energy comes from renewable sources. I commend the Ambassador for championing this vitally important global transition.”
While in Minnesota, the Ambassador also met with St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter and then concluded his trip at the Great Minnesota Get-Together where he also met with State Senator Karin Housley and State Representative Ilhan Omar to discuss strengthening the relationship between the UK and Minnesota. The visit to the Great Minnesota Get-Together was the Ambassador’s first time at a US state fair.
Two hundred British businesses call Minnesota home, employing over 17,000 people across the state. The UK is Minnesota’s 5th largest export market, with Minnesota businesses exporting $1.5 billion in goods and services to the UK every year, supporting an additional 9,000 local jobs.
The UK is also a world leader in tackling climate change, making it a strategic partner to help Minnesota achieve its clean growth objectives. Since 1990, the UK has cut emissions by 42%, while growing its economy by 67%. The UK is the 6th largest producer of wind power in the world and has the second largest low emission vehicle market in the European Union. Recently, the UK set out a number of new and ambitious clean growth targets as a part of its Clean Growth Strategy, including ending the sale of all gas cars by 2040 and halving the energy use of all new buildings by 2030.
Minnesota is also doing meaningful work in clean growth. In 2007, Minnesota passed one of the strongest climate and renewable energy mandates in the country. It requires the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 80% of 1990 levels by 2050, and 25% renewable energy by 2025.
Minnesota has 60,000 clean energy jobs and saw the sector grow by 2.6% last year. In the coming year, the sector is projected to add another 2,700 jobs. The UK hopes to partner with local government, businesses and other organisations to facilitate the continued growth of clean energy in Minnesota.
As part of his #GreatGreenRoadTrip, the Ambassador also stopped in Michigan, Indiana, Illinois and Wisconsin to facilitate greater ties with local governments, businesses, and research organizations across the region to work toward a cleaner and more economically prosperous future for both the US and UK.
