New York, NY – November 4, 2019 – President Trump formally communicates the intention of the United States to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, the 2015 landmark agreement in which over 197 nations committed to take climate action and limit climate change.
Amy Davidsen, Executive Director, North America of international non-profit, The Climate Group, says:
“President Trump’s decision to file the paperwork to pull the U.S. out of the Paris Agreement is a major disappointment for the world and another example of the current administration abdicating its responsibility to protect the environment, health, and safety of its citizens and the future prosperity of its economy.
As one of the world’s largest polluters, the U.S. withdrawal from Paris will make it that much more challenging to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero by 2050 and prevent warming in excess of 1.5°C (2.7°F). However, regardless of this ill-advised action, U.S. businesses, states, and cities will continue to innovate and drive forward solutions for the climate crisis.
Since Trump first threatened to pull the U.S. out of the Paris Agreement in June 2017, 31 major additional U.S. companies have joined our leadership initiatives on clean energy and transport, and six additional U.S. governments joined the Under 2 Coalition because these leaders understand that reducing greenhouse gas emissions helps long-term growth. The U.S. should be listening to the majority of its businesses and leading the effort to cut carbon pollution at home and abroad, not creating more obstacles.”
The international non-profit, The Climate Group, is secretariat to the Under2 Coalition, the leading coalition of global states and regions committed to climate action in line with the Paris Agreement. The Under2 Coalition’s U.S. membership includes 12 U.S. states, who represent over 100 million people and 35% of the national economy. Members such as Hawaii and New York State have set targets in line with the most ambitious goal of Paris, to reach net-zero emissions no later than 2050. Alongside this, the organization also works with 300 of the world’s largest businesses, nearly a third of which are based in the US, that are committed to 100% renewable power, electrification of transportation, and smarter energy efficiency – solutions that improve health and the economy through cleaner air and bolstering jobs.
