High Level Champions Statement on US Withdrawal from the Paris Agreement
As we await confirmation of the outcome of the US election, November 4 marks the moment US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement takes effect. While regrettable, this does not tell the whole, nor even part of the story regarding the US community’s commitment to the fight against climate change.
As High Level Climate Champions, with the mandate to accelerate climate action and enhance ambition, we continue to be encouraged by the significant progress and growing number of businesses, investors, cities, states and regions who are delivering on the promise of the Paris Agreement by committing to the Race to Zero, aligning their strategies, policies and plans to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 or earlier, and to limit warming to 1.5C in accordance with the science.
Net zero pledges globally now include cities and regions with a carbon footprint greater than the emissions of the US and companies with a combined revenue of over $11.4 trillion (equivalent to more than half of the US GDP).
Non-state actors in the US and elsewhere continue to support national governments to strengthen their climate targets, and are asking for climate-smart policy that provides the clarity and confidence they need to invest decisively in the zero carbon economy.
The recent net zero announcements by China, Japan and Republic of Korea are cases in point, confirming an ongoing commitment to global decarbonization through international cooperation under the Paris Agreement.
And as the world seeks to recover from COVID-19, ambitious climate policies are boosting jobs and GDP growth more than business-as-usual stimulus, while reducing emissions, building resilience and delivering significant health benefits.
Read the Joint Statement on the US Withdrawal from the Paris Agreement by Chile, France, Italy, UK and UN Climate Change: https://unfccc.int/news/joint-statement-on-the-us-withdrawal-from-the-paris-agreement
Join the Race To Zero: https://unfccc.int/climate-action/race-to-zero-campaign