The report is the first communication to the international community specifically addressing the scope and scale of non-federal climate action in the U.S. following the Trump administration’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement. It shows more than half the U.S. economy and population have declared their support for the Paris Agreement, including more than 2,300 signatories to the “We Are Still In” declaration.
“The group of American cities, states, and businesses who remain committed to the Paris Agreement represents a bigger economy than any nation outside the U.S. and China,” said Bloomberg.
The report finds that a total of 20 U.S. states, 110 U.S. cities, and over 1,400 businesses with U.S. operations representing $25 trillion in market capitalization and nearly 1.0 gigatons of GHG emissions per year have adopted quantified emissions reduction targets.
“Together they are helping deliver on the promise of the agreement and ensuring the U.S. remains a global leader in the fight against climate change,” Bloomberg added.
“We join with states and cities across America—and around the world—that will continue aggressive and creative action to curb greenhouse gas emissions,” said Governor Brown.
The report was released at an event featuring UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Executive Secretary Patricia Espinosa, COP23 President Honorable Prime Minister Bainimarama of Fiji, Bloomberg and Brown, as well as Senator Ben Cardin of Maryland, Senator Ed Markey of Massachusetts, Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto, Wal-Mart Senior Vice President of Sustainability Laura Philips and California’s Secretary of Environmental Protection Matt Rodriquez who are among the thousands of U.S. private and public-sector leaders taking action to cut greenhouse gas emissions.
“To achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement, we are helping to build a Grand Coalition to accelerate climate action across all nations and at every level of society,” said Honorable Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama of Fiji, President of COP23. “So I am delighted to welcome the commitments that have been made through America’s Pledge from members of that coalition in the US among the non-state actors such as governors and mayors.”
The America’s Pledge report examines current and potential future opportunities for non-federal actors in the U.S. to strengthen their role in meeting the U.S. commitment under the Paris Agreement to reduce emissions by 26-28 percent below 2005 levels by 2025. As part of the America’s Pledge initiative, a range of leaders are stepping up to coordinate more closely with each other and international partners to help meet the pledge.
Learn more and download the report at AmericasPledge.com
