- In The News
- December 2024
AP: Biden pledges to cut US greenhouse gases by more than 60% as he exits the world stage
December 19, 2024
The Associated Press reports on the U.S. Climate Alliance’s pledge to work to collectively reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 61-66 percent below 2005 levels by 2035.
“The U.S. Climate Alliance, a bipartisan coalition of governors that support climate action, pledged to work toward the new target, with or without help from the White House.
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, the alliance’s co-chair, said climate-conscious governors ‘will carry the torch forward’ after Biden leaves office. Hochul, a Democrat, said governors will use the new U.S. goal to ‘keep America on track toward a cleaner, safer future.’
‘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,’ said New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, another alliance co-chair.
Biden, in his remarks, called the new goal ‘ambitious’ and said it would lead to thousands of well-paying jobs, more affordable energy, cleaner air, cleaner water and a healthier environment for all Americans.
‘It is also creating real momentum because we’re unleashing American ingenuity and innovation. And together, we will turn this existential threat into a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform our nation’ for decades to come, Biden said. ‘I know we can do this.’”
About the Alliance
Launched in 2017 by the governors of Washington, New York, and California to help fill the void left by the U.S. federal government’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, the Alliance has grown to include 24 governors from across the U.S. representing approximately 60 percent of the U.S. economy and 55 percent of the U.S. population. Governors in the Alliance have pledged to collectively reduce net greenhouse gas emissions by at least 26-28 percent by 2025, 50-52 percent by 2030, and 61-66 percent by 2035, all below 2005 levels, and collectively achieve overall net-zero greenhouse gas emissions as soon as practicable, and no later than 2050.
The Alliance’s states and territories continue to advance innovative and impactful climate solutions to grow the economy, create jobs, and protect public health, and have a long record of action and results. In fact, the latest data shows that as of 2023, the Alliance has reduced its collective net greenhouse gas emissions by 24 percent below 2005 levels, while increasing collective GDP by 34 percent, and is on track to meet its near-term climate goal of reducing collective greenhouse gas emissions 26 percent below 2005 levels by 2025.
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