Over a thousand US business leaders and mayors commit to the Paris Agreement

Over 200 mayors have joined more than a thousand businesses, investors and academic institutions in signing a pact to continue the fight against climate change in the U.S.

Together, these business and political leaders are sending a strong signal to the international community regarding the continued commitment of the U.S. to ambitious action on climate change.

The signatories are also delivering concrete emissions reductions that will help the U.S. meet its emissions pledge under the Paris Agreement.

The over 1,000 signatories include some of the most populous states and cities in the U.S. – including California, and New York City, Los Angeles and Houston – as well as smaller cities such as Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and Dubuque, Iowa.

211 Climate Mayors have adopted the Paris Agreement goals for their cities.

Pittsburgh Mayor Bill Peduto announced that he was joining the coalition “Mayors for 100% Clean Energy” which aims to uphold commitments made under the Paris Agreement. 

The city now plans to transition to 100 per cent renewable energy, including wind and solar, by 2035.

In addition, nine Governors have formed the bipartisan Governor’s Climate Alliance, and at least 17 Governors have released individual statements standing by Paris.

New York Governor Andrew Cuomo has announced the investment of $1.5 billion for renewable energy projects as part of the state’s pursuit of 50 per cent renewable energy by 2030.

Twenty Fortune 500 companies, including Apple, Google, Intel, Microsoft, Nike, and several universities have also signed up to the “We Are Still In” initiative.

Lou Leonard, World Wildlife Fund’s Senior Vice President of Climate Change and Energy told The Independent that the “We Are Still In” initiative represents $6.2 trillion of the U.S. economy.

“The signers all understand that the Paris Agreement is a blueprint for job creation, stability and global prosperity...to create jobs, spur innovation, promote trade and ensure American competitiveness,” they said in a statement.

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