US Climate Alliance Defies Trump’s Paris Agreement Withdrawal
In response to the United States’ second withdrawal from the Paris Agreement under President Donald Trump, the US Climate Alliance has reaffirmed its commitment to climate action. This bipartisan coalition of 24 governors has vowed to uphold international climate commitments despite federal policy shifts. The Alliance published an open letter to the United Nations, stating its continued cooperation on emission reductions and clean energy initiatives.
- The Alliance, representing nearly 60% of the US economy and 55% of its population, remains on track to cut emissions by 26% below 2005 levels by 2025.
- Governors Kathy Hochul (New York) and Michelle Lujan Grisham (New Mexico), co-chairs of the Alliance, emphasized states’ constitutional authority to enforce climate policies independent of federal decisions.
- Member states have led efforts in clean energy, regional carbon markets, and emissions reductions, contributing to economic growth and public health improvements.
Despite its progress, the Alliance faces challenges, including regulatory complexities and potential funding gaps. Trump’s withdrawal raises concerns about international confidence in US climate commitments, but Alliance leaders pledge transparency and ongoing participation in global climate negotiations. They will present their stance at COP30 in Brazil, aiming to assure global partners that subnational leadership remains steadfast in advancing climate action.
The complete text of the letter is copied below:
Mr. Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
P.O. Box 260124
D-53153 Bonn, Germany
January 20, 2025
Dear Executive Secretary Stiell,
We write as co-chairs of the United States Climate Alliance, a bipartisan coalition of two dozen governors representing nearly 60 percent of the U.S. economy and 55 percent of the U.S. population, to make it clear to you, and the rest of the world, that we will continue America’s work to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement and slash climate pollution.
As you know, this is not the first time we’ve responded to this challenge in the U.S. Our coalition was launched after the President’s decision to withdraw our country from the Paris Agreement back in 2017. Since then, our reach, resolve, and impact have only grown.
In fact, 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. Our recent progress reflects a wave of ambitious state policies and federal funding enacted over the last few years – and it builds on our coalition’s 15-year trend of cutting emissions while simultaneously growing our economies. We have continued to ramp up our longer-term commitments as well, pledging to reduce GHG emissions at least 50-52 percent by 2030 and 61-66 percent by 2035, below 2005 levels, in alignment with the U.S. Nationally Determined Contribution. Most importantly, this action is bringing better health, cleaner air, good-paying jobs, new economic development, and lower costs to our communities.
Our states and territories continue to have broad authority under the U.S. Constitution to protect our progress and advance the climate solutions we need. This does not change with a shift in federal administration. States across our coalition are implementing a suite of policies and programs to secure our net-zero future, including statewide and regional carbon markets, 100 percent clean energy standards, and methane reduction programs for the oil and gas, waste, and agricultural sectors, among many others. We are also deploying billions of dollars to eliminate pollution in our communities and sustain our country’s clean energy boom.
It’s critical for the international community to know that climate action will continue in the U.S. The Alliance will bring this message to the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Brazil (COP30) later this year – just as we have at every COP since our coalition’s founding – as we work to implement our climate goals. We are also committed to tracking and reporting on our progress and look forward to working with you and the global community to identify the most impactful ways to do so. The Alliance is proud to publish an annual report each year on our latest action, and we are enclosing here our most recent report for your reference.
We will not turn our back on America’s commitments. For our health and our future, we will press forward.
Sincerely,
Governor Kathy Hochul, Co-Chair
State of New York
Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, Co-Chair
State of New Mexico
Download: Read the Letter in PDF
Source: US Climate Alliance
