# Over 1,400 U.S. Localities and Businesses Vow to Meet Paris Climate Commitments

- Link: https://greenlivingguy.com/2020/01/over-1400-u-s-cities-states-and-businesses-vow-to-meet-paris-climate-commitments/
- Published: 2020-01-05T02:57:38-05:00
- Author: greenlivingguy

Alain Bejjani, Chief Executive Officer, Majid Al Futtaim Holding, United Arab Emirates,
Jean-François van Boxmeer, Chairman of the Executive Board and Chief Executive Officer,
HEINEKEN, Netherlands, Doug McMillon, President and Chief Executive Officer, Wal-
Mart, USA, Tom Szaky, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, TerraCycle, USA, Daniel
Zhang, Chief Executive Officer, Alibaba Group, People’s Republic of China and Baohong
Sun, Dean’s Distinguished Chair Professor of Marketing; Associate Dean, Global Programmes,
Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business, People’s Republic of China at the Annual
Meeting 2017 of the World Economic Forum in Davos, January 17, 2017.
 Copyright 
by World Economic Forum / Manuel Lopez

#### This part is from Inside Climate News. Also, this story was updated on June 6 with the latest numbers from the coalition.

President **[Donald Trump](https://insideclimatenews.org/tags/donald-trump)** may
be yanking the United States from the **[Paris climate agreement](https://insideclimatenews.org/tags/paris-climate-agreement)**,
but states, cities and businesses are filling the vacuum by making their own commitments
to [reduce greenhouse gas emissions](https://greenlivingguy.com/2011/05/teams-from-245-buildings-around-the-u-s-compete-to-save-energy-and-reduce-greenhouse-gas-emissions-2/)—
and the numbers are mounting.

On Monday, more than 1,000 companies and institutions, including more than a dozen
Fortune 500 businesses, signed onto a statement—”**We Are Still In**“—saying they’re
committed to meeting the Paris targets. The statement calls Trump’s decision “a 
grave mistake that endangers the American public and hurts America’s economic security
and diplomatic reputation.” By Tuesday, the coalition’s numbers had climbed past
1,400.

A dozen states that together represent the world’s third-largest economy and more
than 200 cities had also committed to the Paris accord through various coalitions.

**[Trump’s decision to leave the Paris climate agreement](https://insideclimatenews.org/news/01062017/donald-trump-paris-climate-change-agreement-decided)**,
the world’s biggest economies denounced the move and insisted they would remain 
in the pact. While the president claimed he would contemplate a renegotiation of
a deal that “puts America first,” the UN and several U.S. allies said renegotiation
isn’t in the cards.

Immediately after the announcement, a loud and adamant chorus—with a diverse array
of members, from the CEO of Disney to the state of Delaware—began announcing or 
reaffirming their own emissions-related and clean energy goals.

#### 󠀁[⌊States and cities stepping up for the Paris Agreement⌉⌊States and cities stepping up for the Paris Agreement⌉󠀁[

For the entire story from [Inside Climate News](https://insideclimatenews.org/news/05062017/paris-climate-agreement-trump-bloomberg-cities-states-businesses).

Look at Texas!

In addition, according to [KUT.org](https://www.kut.org/post/texas-has-generated-more-electricity-wind-coal-so-far-year)
90.9 FM, for the first time ever, wind has surpassed coal as an energy source in
Texas.

Data released this month by the Electric Reliability Council of Texas shows wind
created 22 percent of the electricity used in the first half of the year, edging
out coal by 1 percentage point.

[⌊Energy by fuel in 2019⌉⌊Energy by fuel in 2019⌉[CREDIT ELECTRIC RELIABILITY COUNCIL
OF TEXAS

Texas is the largest consumer of coal in the country, according to the Energy Information
Administration. But cheap natural [gas and renewable energy prices](https://greenlivingguy.com/2005/11/scooter-sales-soar-as-gas-prices-rise-maybe-they-should-have-thought-about-electric-scooters-more/)
are biting into coal’s market share.

Another reason for wind’s competitiveness this year could be the weather.

Many of the coal plants in Texas are “peaker plants,” meaning they operate only 
when electricity demand is high. A mild spring and summer may have kept demand lower
than expected and some of those plants offline.

Natural gas still continues to produce more electricity than any other source, at
38%. Solar energy accounts for about 1% of electricity here. Daniel Cohan, a civil
and environmental engineering professor at Rice University, said that number could
slowly tick up.

#### LA Green New Deal

Now while Inside [Climate News didn’t report](https://greenlivingguy.com/2007/04/climate-report-poor-will-suffer-most/)
this, it’s ok!  Because and according to [Mayor Eric Garcetti](https://www.lamayor.org/mayor-garcetti-launches-la%E2%80%99s-green-new-deal)
and his releasing Los Angeles’ Green New Deal. One which sets aggressive goals for
the city’s sustainable future, tackles the climate emergency with accelerated targets,
strengthens our economy and our middle class, and sets L.A. on course to be carbon
neutral by 2050.

“Politicians in Washington don’t have to look across the aisle in Congress to know
what a Green New Deal is — they can look across the country, to Los Angeles,” said
Mayor Eric Garcetti. “With flames on our hillsides and floods in our streets, cities
cannot wait another moment to confront the [climate crisis](https://greenlivingguy.com/2019/05/ahead-of-heat-awareness-day-connecting-record-heat-to-climate-crisis-is-critical/)
with everything we’ve got. L.A. is leading the charge, with a clear vision for protecting
the environment and making our economy work for everyone.”

L.A.’s [Green New Deal is guided](https://greenlivingguy.com/2010/12/green-lighting-press-for-green-guide-goes-further-web-bound/)
by four key principles. First of all, a commitment to uphold the Paris Climate Agreement.
Then a promise to deliver environmental justice and equity through an inclusive 
green economy. Plus a plan to ensure every Angeleno has the ability to [join the green economy](https://greenlivingguy.com/2023/07/soorty-clothing-joins-circulose-network-for-circular-economy/)
by creating pipelines to good paying, green jobs. Finally, a determination to lead
by example within City government. Therefore LA will be showing the world what an
urban Green New Deal looks like in practice.

The Green New Deal leads with bold action. All to zero out Los Angeles’ main sources
of harmful emissions. So buildings, transportation, electricity, and trash.

#### Their accelerated goals and new targets including the following action items listed below.

 1. [Building a zero carbon electricity](https://greenlivingguy.com/2008/10/build-your-own-electric-vehicle-in-journal-news/)
    grid. That’s reaching an accelerated goal of 80% renewable energy supply by 2036.
    That’s as they lead California toward 100% renewables by 2045.
 2. Creating a Jobs Cabinet to bring city, labor, educational, and business leaders
    together to support our effort to create 300,000 green jobs by 2035 and 400,000
    by 2050.
 3. Mandating that all new municipally owned buildings and major renovations be [all-electric](https://greenlivingguy.com/2017/10/gm-outlines-all-electric-path-to-zero-emissions/),
    effective immediately. Most noteworthy, that’s every building in Los Angeles. That’s
    from skyscrapers to single family homes. Therefore becoming emissions free by 2050.
 4. Achieving a zero waste future by phasing out Styrofoam by 2021. Thereby ending 
    the use of plastic straws and single-use takeout containers by 2028. Finally, no
    longer sending any trash to landfills by 2050.
 5. Recycling 100% of our wastewater by 2035; sourcing 70% of our water locally. Therefore
    a significant increase from our existing pathway. As well as nearly tripling the
    maximum amount of stormwater captured.
 6. Planting and maintaining at least 90,000 trees. All which will provide 61 million
    square feet of shade. In addition, citywide by 2021 and increasing tree canopy 
    in low-income, severely heat impacted areas by at least 50% by 2028.

Now [New York](https://www.governor.ny.gov/news/governor-cuomo-announces-green-new-deal-included-2019-executive-budget)
has stepped up.

#### According to the Governor’s Office, Nation-Leading Clean Energy and Jobs Agenda Puts New York on a Path to Carbon Neutrality.

Mandates 100 Percent Clean Power by 2040 and Enacts New Climate Action Council into
Law. All to Develop Roadmap to Make New York Carbon Neutral.

Also ensures a just transition to Clean Power. Thereby spurring growth of the Green
Economy. Finally and most noteworthy prioritizing Low- and Moderate-Income New Yorkers!

Invests $1.5 Billion in 20 Large-Scale Renewable Energy Projects Upstate and up 
to $200 Million in Port Infrastructure to Make New York the Nation’s Offshore Wind
Hub

Builds on Governor’s Environmental Record, Including Banning Fracking, Ending Coal
Power, Unprecedented Investments in Renewable [Energy and Establishing the U.S. Climate](https://greenlivingguy.com/2026/07/nuclear-energy-comeback-climate-solution-or-risky-distraction/)
Alliance

“Climate change is a reality, and the consequences of delay are a matter of life
and death. We know what we must do. Now we have to have the vision, the courage,
and the competence to get it done,” Governor Cuomo said. “While the federal government
shamefully ignores the reality of climate change and fails to take meaningful action,
we are launching the first-in-the-nation Green New Deal to seize the potential of
the clean energy economy, set nation’s most ambitious goal for carbon-free power,
and ultimately eliminate our entire carbon footprint.”

During Governor Cuomo’s first two terms, New York banned fracking of natural gas,
committed to phasing out coal power by 2020, mandated 50 percent renewable power
by 2030, and established the U.S. [Climate Alliance to uphold the Paris](https://greenlivingguy.com/2015/08/climate-issue-preparing-for-cop-21-in-paris/)
Agreement.

In addition and Under the Reforming the Energy Vision agenda. It seems that New 
York has held the largest renewable energy procurements in U.S. history**.** I mean
solar has increased nearly 1,500 percent**.** As well as offshore wind is poised
to transform the State’s electricity supply to be cleaner and more [sustainable and all through Governor Cuomo’s Green](https://greenlivingguy.com/2025/11/green-sports-the-rise-of-sustainable-sporting-venues/)
New Deal**.** New York will take the bold next steps to secure a clean energy future
that protects the environment for generations to come while growing the clean energy
economy.

In addition, and as Inside [Climate News reports](https://greenlivingguy.com/2007/04/climate-report-poor-will-suffer-most/),
there is absence of federal action on climate change. So more states are setting
ambitious targets to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. Washington became the
latest on Tuesday when **[Gov. Jay Inslee signed a law](https://www.governor.wa.gov/news-media/washington-powers-new-path-toward-clean-energy%C2%A0future)**
requiring that 100 percent of the state’s electricity come from clean energy sources
by 2045.

In conclusion, Washington is now the fifth state or territory—following Hawaii, 
California, New Mexico and Puerto Rico. All to commit to 100 percent clean electricity
instead of the Paris Climate Agreement. As well as at least six other states are
considering similar legislation instead of the Paris Climate deal.

“This means we can have a fighting chance at saving the things we cherish most —
our land, our air, our water and our children’s health,” Inslee said in **[a prepared statement](http://medium.com/wagovernor/washington-powers-a-new-path-toward-clean-energy-future-d293029b7484)**.“
We aren’t done. Our success this year is just a harbinger of successes to come. 
But we’re ready. We can do this.”

Finally, and as [Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Climate_action_plans_in_the_50_largest_cities)
reports, as of September 2019, half of the [50 largest cities in the U.S. by population](https://ballotpedia.org/Largest_cities_in_the_United_States_by_population)
had adopted local climate action plans. [Supporters](https://ballotpedia.org/Climate_action_plans_in_the_50_largest_cities#Support)
say that these plans, which call for measures such as reducing [greenhouse gas](https://ballotpedia.org/Greenhouse_gas)(
GHG) emissions, are important for combatting climate change and promoting public
health. [Opponents](https://ballotpedia.org/Climate_action_plans_in_the_50_largest_cities#Opposition)
of local climate action plans say that such plans increase living costs and cause
economic harm.

Almost all of the cities with climate action plans were members of at least one 
climate association. This page tracks membership in the following associations: 
[100 Resilient Cities](http://www.100resilientcities.org/), [Climate Mayors](http://climatemayors.org/),
and [C40 Cities](https://www.c40.org/).

Finally, for the 221 RE100 companies have made a commitment to go ‘100% renewable’.
Read about the actions they are taking and why. [http://there100.org/companies](http://there100.org/companies)

**Sources: Inside Climate News, LA Mayors Office, NY Governor’s Office, Ballotpedia**