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(WNY News Now) The bipartisan U.S. Climate Alliance’s co-chairs, Governors Kathy Hochul and Michelle Lujan Grisham, have reiterated their coalition’s dedication to promoting climate action in line with the Paris Agreement.
The co-chairs of the US Climate Alliance, Governors Kathy Hochul and Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico, sent a letter to UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell on Monday, stating unequivocally that the United States will continue to take action on climate change.
To make it clear to you and the rest of the world that America will continue its work to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement and slash climate pollution, Governors Hochul and Lujan Grisham wrote as co-chairs of the United States Climate Alliance, a bipartisan coalition of two dozen governors that represent nearly 60% of the U.S. economy and 55% of the U.S. population.We will not abandon America’s obligations. We shall continue to move forward for our future and for our health.
Having formed this alliance back in 2017, when the President had previously pulled the United States out of the Paris Agreement, the governors said that the Alliance is ready for this time. They also highlighted the Alliance’s extensive track record of action and outcomes, as well as the governors’ broad constitutional authority to continue promoting creative and significant climate solutions. Lastly, at the UN Climate Change Conference in Brazil (COP30) later this year, the governors promised to monitor and update the world on their progress.
The Alliance is on target to reach its near-term climate goal by cutting collective GHG emissions 26 percent below 2005 levels by 2025, having lowered its collective net GHG emissions by 19 percent between 2005 and 2022 while expanding its collective GDP by 30 percent. Together, the states and territories in the coalition are also hiring more people in the clean energy industry, lowering harmful air pollution levels, and better prepared for the effects of climate change than the rest of the nation.
Ahead of the presidential inauguration, at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP29), following the election announcements from its co-chairs, alongside America’s other leading subnational climate action coalitions, America Is All In and Climate Mayors, and in a video featuring governors on its executive committee, the Alliance has pledged to safeguard this progress and to continue and advance climate action across America.
Below is a copy of the entire letter from today:
The Executive Secretary, Mr. Simon Stiell
Climate Change Framework Convention of the United Nations
260124 P.O. Box
Germany, Bonn, D-53153
January 20, 2025
Dear Stiell, Executive Secretary,
As co-chairs of the United States Climate Alliance, a bipartisan coalition of two dozen governors who represent nearly 60 percent of the U.S. economy and 55 percent of the U.S. population, we write to assure you and the rest of the world that America will continue to work toward reducing climate pollution and achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement.
As you are aware, we have previously addressed this issue in the United States. Following the President’s 2017 decision to remove our nation from the Paris Agreement, our coalition was formed. Our impact, resolve, and reach have only increased since then.
In reality, by lowering their combined net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 26% below 2005 levels by 2025, our states and territories are now on track to fulfill our short-term climate target. Our recent progress builds on our coalition’s 15-year trend of reducing emissions while increasing our economies, and it reflects a wave of bold state policies and federal assistance adopted over the previous few years. In line with the U.S. Nationally Determined Contribution, we have also accelerated our longer-term commitments, promising to cut GHG emissions by at least 50–52 percent by 2030 and 61–66 percent by 2035, below 2005 levels. The most significant benefits of taking action are improved health, cleaner air, well-paying jobs, new economic growth, and reduced expenditures for our communities.
The U.S. Constitution still grants our states and territories significant flexibility to safeguard our advancements and promote the necessary climate solutions. A change in the federal administration has no effect on this. To ensure our net-zero future, states in our coalition are putting a variety of policies and initiatives into place, such as regional and statewide carbon markets, 100 percent clean energy standards, and methane reduction initiatives for the waste, oil and gas, and agricultural industries, among many others. Additionally, we are investing billions of dollars to maintain our nation’s clean energy boom and eradicate pollution in our communities.
The international world must understand that the United States will continue to take action on climate change. As we strive to implement our climate goals, the Alliance will carry this message to the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Brazil (COP30) later this year, just as we have at every COP since the coalition’s inception. Additionally, we are dedicated to monitoring and reporting on our progress, and we look forward to collaborating with you and the international community to determine the most effective means of doing so. Every year, the Alliance is pleased to release a report detailing our most current activities. For your convenience, we have enclosed our most recent report here.
We will not abandon America’s obligations. We shall continue to move forward for our future and for our health.
Regards,
Kathy Hochul, Governor, Co-Chair
New York State
Co-Chair Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham
New Mexico State