WASHINGTON, D.C. — Moving to secure a healthier future and a stronger economy for all Americans, the U.S. Climate Alliance – a bipartisan coalition of governors representing nearly 60 percent of the U.S. economy and 55 percent of the U.S. population – today pledged to work to collectively reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 61-66 percent below 2005 levels by 2035.

The Alliance also applauded the new 2035 U.S. climate target – known as the nationally determined contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement – set today by the Biden-Harris administration. The Alliance’s new collective commitment builds on the coalition’s existing 2025 and 2030 emissions-reduction goals and will help sustain and drive efforts to achieve net-zero emissions as soon as practicable, and no later than 2050.

“President Biden’s bold leadership is keeping us on a path to achieve a clean energy economy, and together, the country’s climate-leading governors will carry the torch forward,” said U.S. Climate Alliance co-chair New York Governor Kathy Hochul. “This new collective goal will serve as our North Star, guiding us in the years to come and keeping America on track toward a cleaner, safer future.”

“The only thing clearer than the science and impacts of climate change is the benefit of taking action – and we’re not slowing down,” said U.S. Climate Alliance co-chair New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. “By continuing to stamp out climate pollution together, we’re safeguarding public health, protecting the environment, growing the economy, and creating good jobs across the U.S.”

As a result of historic leadership from the Biden-Harris administration and increasingly bold and impactful climate action from the Alliance’s states and territories, the U.S. remains well positioned to continue combatting the climate crisis for decades to come. In fact, according to new analysis released last week by the Center for Global Sustainability, continued action from states, cities, businesses, and others – including the Alliance’s members – can “counteract much of the impacts of federal inactions or rollbacks” that may occur over the next four years.

Last month, the Alliance came together with the country’s other top subnational climate action coalitions – America Is All In and Climate Mayors – to issue a joint statement reaffirming a whole-of-society commitment to upholding the Paris Agreement. The Alliance’s co-chairs also issued statements making clear that governors will tap every ounce of their authority to protect America’s progress and press forward. Additionally, the Alliance’s delegation, led by founding member Washington Governor Jay Inslee, delivered this message to the international community at the recent UN Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan.

The Alliance’s states and territories continue to demonstrate that climate action goes hand-in-hand with economic growth, job creation, lower costs, and better public health. The Alliance reduced its collective net greenhouse gas emissions by 19 percent between 2005 and 2022, 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. 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.