On November 4, the United States formally withdrew from the Paris Climate Agreement. U.S. President Donald Trump announced his intention to withdraw from the agreement more than two years ago, but under the rules of the agreement, formal withdrawal is a process that, for the United States, will be complete in the fall of 2020. According to a news release^[1] authored by U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, the Trump administration decided to withdraw from the agreement due to the “unfair economic burden imposed on American workers, businesses, and taxpayers by U.S. pledges made under the Agreement.”

In response, the United States Climate Alliance, a bipartisan coalition of governors committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions consistent with the goals of the Paris Agreement, released a statement^[2] stating the Trump administration’s policy is wrong, and committing to implementing their goals under the agreement regardless of federal policy:

The members of the U.S. Climate Alliance remain committed to addressing climate change. Since launching the Climate Alliance, our states have adopted or strengthened 29 greenhouse gas reduction targets and ramped up zero-carbon power generation, with 19 states now enacting or pursuing goals for 100 percent carbon-free or clean power by 2030 or later. We are reducing air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions and saving residents money by transitioning to low- and zero-emissions vehicles, transportation systems, buildings, and appliances. We also are growing a clean energy economy and creating high quality jobs, enhancing our natural and working lands, and strengthening community resilience. Moreover, we have demonstrated that economic growth and climate action go hand-in-hand. Alliance states have reduced emissions faster than the rest of the country while growing per capita GDP three times as fast. Climate action is a driver of – not a deterrent to – innovation and economic strength.