Bringing California’s voice to the global conversation

SACRAMENTO — Eight Democratic state lawmakers are expected to accompany Gov. Jerry Brown to the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change:

Senate leader Kevin de León of Los Angeles: Has made climate change a priority, with legislation to boost renewable energy and energy efficiency and to invest in low-income communities with revenue from state fees on polluters.

Sen. Fran Pavley of Agoura Hills: Championed vehicle standards in 2002 that later became federal law and had legislation in 2006 that led to the creation of the state’s cap-and-trade program.

Sen. Ricardo Lara of Bell Gardens: Author of a law to combat air pollution by funding technology for cleaner trucks and buses. Pushed for another law that directs state regulators to develop a strategy for limiting such emissions as black carbon and methane.

Sen. Bob Wieckowski of Fremont: Chairs the Senate Environmental Quality Committee. His measure requiring the state to coordinate local efforts for adapting to climate change became law in October.

Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins of San Diego: Her law expanding the California Air Resources Board to include representatives of polluted low-income communities takes effect Jan. 1.

Assemblyman Anthony Rendon of Lakewood: Has been chosen to replace Atkins as speaker next year. Played a key role in negotiations over a water bond that voters passed last year.

Assemblyman Richard Hershel Bloom of Santa Monica: Author of a new law phasing out the use of plastic microbeads in soap and other personal-care products. Chairs a budget subcommittee on resources and transportation.

Assemblyman Eduardo Garcia of Coachella: Chairs the Committee on Jobs, Economic Development and the Economy. Has sought more funding for projects to encourage walking and bike riding.

A Los Angeles group, the nonprofit Climate Action Reserve, is footing the bill.

The group has been raising money to pay for the trip. It played a similar role when lawmakers attended a UN event in Peru last year.

Donors so far are PG&E, the Nature Conservancy, the USC Schwarzenegger Institute for State and Global Policy, German automaker BMW, Texas energy firm Calpine, the Rockefeller Brothers Fund, the Nicholas Institute for Environmental Policy Solutions at Duke University, San Francisco’s philanthropic Energy Foundation and the Bay Area Air Quality Management District.