SACRAMENTO MUNICIPAL UTILITY DISTRICT
SMUD joins landmark global coalition for sustainable energy future
COP28 framework aligns with SMUD's 2030 Zero Carbon Plan

SMUD joined 31 global partners to affirm our pledge to fast-track a just and orderly clean energy transition. By signing on to global coalition Utilities for Net Zero Alliance (UNEZA), SMUD and others are doubling down on our commitment to driving the transition to a clean energy future.

Shaped at COP28 in Dubai, UNEZA is a landmark framework for global cooperation and collaboration and underscores SMUD's unwavering commitment to Sacramento-area decarbonization and SMUD's 2030 Zero Carbon Plan, a flexible roadmap to eliminate all carbon emissions from the region's power supply by 2030. Recognized as the most ambitious carbon reduction goal of any large U.S. utility, SMUD's plan prioritizes world-class reliability, low rates and a focus on equity to ensure all communities benefit from a clean energy future.

"We are responding to the urgent call for global collaboration to mitigate the devastating impacts of climate change by promoting knowledge exchange, sharing crucial information and boosting zero carbon innovation at both local and global levels to achieve our shared goal of a sustainable future," said SMUD CEO and General Manager Paul Lau. "SMUD is leading once again and is proud to join a significant share of the global electric utility community in delivering on COP28 objectives of accelerating an equitable clean energy transition. SMUD's bold vision for a clean energy future invites all communities to join us in this unprecedented leap toward a more sustainable and healthier tomorrow. In our clean energy transition, we will continue to provide equitable opportunities through workforce development, access to clean energy programs and robust partnerships that empower our communities to participate in and reap the benefits of a clean-energy economy."

Through UNEZA's groundbreaking commitment, a coalition of 25 global utilities and power companies, collectively serving over 250 million customers, united to advance electrification, renewables-ready grids and clean energy deployment.

The companies formed UNEZA as a vehicle for implementation, with the International Renewable Energy Agency leading the secretariat. SMUD and utility companies will work to address impediments to the net zero pathway framed within IRENA's World Energy Transitions Outlook and reflected in the 2030 Breakthroughs led by the UN Climate Change High-Level Champions.

The primary focus is on promoting the accelerated adoption of renewables and building the necessary infrastructure, while also offering a platform for joint efforts to address supply chain bottlenecks, support the flow of capital to the power sector transformation and engagement with policymakers and regulators.

SMUD is one of the first utilities in the nation to become a member of UNEZA and to sign onto the Declaration of Action, reaffirming the parties' commitments to achieve "Net Zero emissions by 2050 at the latest and, in this context, actively pursuing opportunities and pathways to realize Net Zero well ahead of 2050."

UNEZA members acknowledge and share a desire to deliver advancements in six key areas:

• buildout of clean power and decarbonization of thermal power generation,
• build up reliable, resilient and flexible grid infrastructure,
• drive widespread adoption of electrification in end use sectors,
• improve energy efficiency,
• promote technological innovation, and
• sustainable execution of our actions, to ensure our activities are designed and delivered in an equitable and environmentally responsible manner that delivers universally positive outcomes.

Key actions in SMUD's 2030 Zero Carbon Plan include tripling renewable energy resources, optimizing customer-owned resources like solar and batteries, electrifying buildings and transportation, repurposing natural gas power plants and scaling new technologies like virtual power plants, long-duration energy storage, vehicle-to-grid technology and customer-focused energy programs that allow all customers to participate in energy savings and carbon reduction.

SMUD has a decades-long legacy of environmental leadership, innovative customer programs and holds the highest customer satisfaction ratings among California utilities. SMUD continues to be a pioneer in powering California's capital region and driving toward a clean energy future through partnerships with U.S., California and international energy agencies.

About SMUD

As the nation's sixth-largest, community-owned, not-for-profit electric service provider, SMUD has been providing low-cost, reliable electricity to Sacramento County for more than 75 years. SMUD is a recognized industry leader and award winner for its innovative energy efficiency programs, renewable power technologies and for its sustainable solutions for a healthier environment. Today, SMUD's power supply is on average about 50 percent carbon free and SMUD has a goal to reach zero carbon in its electricity production by 2030. For more information on SMUD's Zero Carbon Plan and its customer programs, visit smud.org.