New York Governor Kathy Hochul and New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, co-chairs of the US Climate Alliance, in a letter to the United Nations, have pledged to uphold America’s obligations under the Paris Agreement. This pledge comes amid President Donald Trump’s announcement of withdrawal from the accord.
“We will continue America’s work to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement and slash climate pollution,” the governors stated in their letter, which was shared by Governor Hochul’s office. The US Climate Alliance, a bipartisan coalition of governors representing 25 states and territories, has been working collectively to implement innovative climate solutions and drive down emissions.
The Alliance is on track to meet its ambitious climate targets, which include reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 26% below 2005 levels by 2025, according to a press statement issued by Hochul’s office. As of 2022, emissions within Alliance states had already dropped by 19% compared to 2005, even as their collective GDP grew by 30% over the same period. This achievement underscores the potential for economic growth alongside robust climate action.
The Alliance also highlighted the creation of more clean energy jobs and the reduction of harmful air pollutants in member states compared to the rest of the country. These successes, the governors argue, demonstrate the power of state-led initiatives in addressing climate challenges.
In their letter, the governors emphasised their constitutional authority to pursue climate solutions independently of federal policies. Current initiatives include statewide and regional carbon markets, 100% clean energy standards, and methane reduction programmes, with billions of dollars being invested to reduce pollution and bolster the clean energy economy.
The governors’ statement also underscored the importance of transparency and accountability. An annual report detailing the Alliance’s climate actions was shared with Simon Stiell, the UN Climate Change Executive Secretary, as part of preparations for the COP30 summit in Brazil.
The Alliance’s steadfast commitment to the Paris Agreement comes in stark contrast to the Trump’s decision to withdraw from the accord for the second time, a move widely criticised by environmental advocates. Despite the federal withdrawal, the Alliance has continued to push forward with climate action, demonstrating that state-level efforts can fill the gap left by federal inaction.
“We will not turn our back on America’s commitments,” the governors declared in a joint statement. “For our health and our future, we will press forward.”
The Alliance plans to present its progress and initiatives on the global stage at COP30, reinforcing its message that subnational leadership can play a critical role in tackling the climate crisis, regardless of federal policy shifts.
Read the letter here.
