Key Impact Points:
- U.S. Climate Alliance Recommits to Paris Agreement Goals: Despite federal withdrawal, 24 states representing 60% of the U.S. economy and 55% of the population remain committed to climate action.
- States Demonstrate Continued Progress: Reduced collective net greenhouse gas emissions by 19% between 2005 and 2022 while increasing GDP by 30%.
- Focus on State-Level Action: Governors emphasize their constitutional authority to implement climate solutions, including clean energy standards, carbon markets, and methane reduction programs.
Governors Hochul and Lujan Grisham: “We will not turn our back on America’s commitments. For our health and our future, we will press forward.”
Continued Commitment to Climate Action
In a letter to UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell, the co-chairs of the U.S. Climate Alliance, Governor Kathy Hochul of New York and Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico, reaffirmed the coalition’s unwavering commitment to achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement. This declaration comes amidst the Trump administration’s announcement to withdraw the U.S. from the international accord.
State-Level Leadership
The letter emphasizes the Alliance’s resilience and continued progress. “Our states and territories are now on track to meet our near-term climate target by reducing collective net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 26 percent below 2005 levels by 2025,” the governors stated. This achievement demonstrates the significant impact of state-level climate policies and the growing momentum of the clean energy transition across the U.S.
Focus on State Authority and Action
Governors Hochul and Lujan Grisham highlighted the constitutional authority of states to drive climate action. They emphasized the Alliance’s ongoing efforts to implement ambitious climate solutions, including:
- Statewide and regional carbon markets
- 100 percent clean energy standards
- Methane reduction programs across various sectors
Continued Engagement with the International Community
The Alliance pledged to continue its active engagement with the international community, including participation in the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference (COP30) in Brazil. The governors expressed their commitment to tracking and reporting on their climate progress to ensure transparency and accountability.
The letter underscores the unwavering commitment of states across the U.S. to combat climate change and demonstrates the continued leadership of subnational actors in driving climate action despite federal policy shifts.
