The U.S. Climate Alliance – a huge bipartisan coalition of 24 states and U.S. territories – has emphasized its intention for its members to meet pledged Paris Agreement goals. The organization sent a letter to the UN Climate Alliance reiterating it will “continue America’s work to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement and slash climate pollution.” In an Executive Order on January 20, Trump announced his intention to leave the Paris Agreement for the second time. President Biden rejoined the Paris Agreement in 2021.
The U.S. Climate Alliance first formed in 2017 the first time Trump withdrew from the Paris Agreement. The founding states, California, New York, and Washington, have since recruited nearly two dozen other states committed to climate mitigation and sustainability. The 24 states and territories in the alliance represent more than 60 percent of the U.S.’s GDP.
Because buildings represent about 30 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, the alliance has committed to decarbonizing buildings through energy efficiency and electrification.
According to a release from the U.S. Climate Alliance, “Between 2005 and 2022, the Alliance reduced its collective net greenhouse gas emissions by 19 percent, while increasing collective GDP by 30 percent, and is on track to meet its near-term climate goal by reducing collective GHG emissions 26 percent below 2005 levels by 2025.?Additionally, the coalition’s states and territories are collectively employing more workers in the clean energy sector, achieving lower levels of dangerous air pollutants, and preparing more effectively for climate impacts than the rest of the country.”
Greg Zimmerman is senior contributing editor for FacilitiesNet.com and Building Operating Management magazine.
