US Climate Alliance Defies Trump Paris Agreement Withdrawal
The US Climate Alliance is a cross-party, bipartisan coalition of US governors, set up during the first Trump administration to maintain the country's international climate obligations.
The group of governors (representing 24 states and territories) was set up in 2017, after President Donald Trump first withdrew the US from the Paris Agreement.
Since then, the US re-joined the global accord under the Biden administration in 2021 and now, following Trump's re-election, the US has withdrawn once again.
In the wake of this second departure, the Alliance has published an open letter to the UN, stating its intent to continue its work on climate action.
This act of defiance speaks to the tension between federal and state-level approaches to climate change policy, as well as the tensions between the US government and international governing bodies like the UN.
A history of state-level leadership
The Alliance's response is not without precedent. The coalition has positioned itself as a steadfast proponent of climate action since its inception in 2017.
“We will not turn back on America's commitments. For our health and our future, we will press forward,” stated Governor Kathy Hochul of New York and Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico, Co-Chairs of the Alliance and Co-Authors of the open letter.
Symbolically, the letter itself was addressed to Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which displays the Alliance's desire to showcase its solidarity and support with the UN's broad climate mission.
The Alliance represents nearly 60% of the US economy and 55% of the nation's population. Its members have pledged to reduce collective greenhouse gas emissions by 26% below 2005 levels by 2025, a target it is on track to achieve.
Between 2005 and 2022, the members reduced their regions' emissions by 19% while growing its collective GDP by 30%. The Alliance is also on track to meet its near-term climate goal by reducing collective GHG emissions 26% below 2005 levels by 2025, which is intends to see through.
Beyond federal boundaries
Central to the Alliance's strategy is its assertion of states' rights under the US Constitution. Member states have implemented a range of policies, including 100% clean energy standards, regional carbon markets and methane reduction initiatives.
These efforts are supported by federal funding allocations in recent years for clean energy projects. “Our states and territories continue to have broad authority under the US Constitution to protect our progress and advance the climate solutions we need," the Alliance says it its letter.
“This does not change with a shift in federal administration."
Economic and environmental progress
The coalition's approach has not only mitigated emissions but also fostered economic growth and job creation. States within the Alliance employ more workers in the clean energy sector than non-member states. They have also achieved reductions in air pollution, improving public health outcomes and reducing healthcare costs.
This progress reflects the Alliance's long-standing commitment to innovative solutions. For example, California has spearheaded the development of electric vehicle infrastructure, while states like New York and Washington have invested heavily in renewable energy projects.
These initiatives exemplify how climate action can drive economic growth and technological advancement.
Global commitments and challenges
Despite its achievements, the Alliance faces significant challenges. President Trump's withdrawal from the Paris Agreement signals a lack of federal alignment, potentially undermining international confidence in the United States' climate commitments.
Additionally, states must navigate complex regulatory environments and secure sufficient funding to meet their ambitious targets.
The Alliance's leaders are acutely aware of these obstacles. In their letter to the UNFCCC, they pledged to maintain transparency by tracking and reporting progress. They also reaffirmed their intention to participate in international forums, including the upcoming COP30 conference in Brazil.
“It's critical for the international community to know that climate action will continue in the US,” the co-chairs wrote. This message seeks to reassure global partners that subnational efforts can partially offset federal inaction.
The road ahead
The Alliance's renewed commitment illustrates the growing role of subnational entities in addressing global challenges.
While the federal government's withdrawal from the Paris Agreement is a setback, the Alliance's actions highlight the potential for state and local governments to drive progress.
As the world prepares for COP30, the Alliance's leadership offers a model for collaborative, multi-level governance. By combining economic pragmatism with environmental responsibility, it demonstrates that climate action is not only necessary but also achievable—even in the face of political headwinds.
Whether this approach will be sufficient to counterbalance federal decisions remains to be seen, but for now, the Alliance's resolution may be the source of some hope for global sustainability practitioners.
"It’s critical for the international community to know that climate action will continue in the US," the letter states.
"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."
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