World Vows to Act Despite Trump’s Failed Climate Leadership
Published by the Natural Resources Defense Fund
President Trump’s latest executive order on climate change waves the white flag on the central environmental challenge of our time, while also surrendering American leadership in the global clean energy race. However, American climate action can’t be stopped with the stroke of Trump’s pen — especially the Clean Power Plan that is grounded in robust legal process and supported by strong majorities of Americans. And Trump’s abdication of leadership has only galvanized real leaders, both international and domestic, to double down on climate action and ensure the goals of the historic Paris Agreement will be achieved.
Leading powers such as China and the European Union jumped on Trump’s climate capitulation to assert their intention to fill the global leadership void and capitalize on clean energy to power their economic competitiveness. And high emitting developing nations, such as India and Indonesia, reiterated they will forge ahead with climate action at home despite Trump’s antics as it is in their national self-interest.
Likewise on the home front, America’s governors, mayors, and business leaders roundly rejected Trump’s decree as an affront to the health and prosperity of their citizens and companies. These increasingly powerful groups are a testament to America’s resilient and deep reservoirs of climate leadership.
The following are a sampling of the many statements from international and American leaders who reiterated their commitment to act on climate change, regardless of the reckless lack of leadership from Washington:
International Leaders
“No matter how other countries’ policies on climate change, as a responsible large developing country China’s resolve, aims and policy moves in dealing with climate change will not change.”
“The continued leadership of the EU, China and many other major economies is now more important than ever. When it comes to climate and the global clean energy transition, there cannot be vacuums, there can only be drivers, and we are committed to driving this agenda forward. We see the Paris Agreement and the transition to a modern, more innovative economy as the growth engine of job creation, investment opportunities and economic prosperity.”
—European Commissioner for Climate Action and Energy Miguel Arias Cañete
Others may roll back, but EU and China will forge ahead with the #ParisAgreement and the clean energy transition https://t.co/gKb30Y8pyD pic.twitter.com/ET1DMOsCjv
— Miguel Arias Cañete (@MAC_europa) March 28, 2017
“Whoever tries to change into reverse gear is only going to harm themselves when it comes to international competitiveness.”
India is “pursuing religiously” its goal of developing 225 gigawatts of clean energy by 2022. “It’s not subject to some other country’s decision.”
“Australia takes its international commitments very seriously.”
Even if the U.S. curtails aid to Indonesia for climate programs, “we will not stop or withdraw.”
—Indonesian director general of climate change at the Ministry of Environment and Forestry Nur Masripatin
“The good news is that we are already witnessing a dramatic transition to renewables in global energy markets. The trend appears unstoppable, but small islands would certainly feel better about our chances if the world’s biggest economy stayed on track to meet its targets.”
“Trump’s decision was a mistake.”
“The action by the US to undo important domestic carbon reduction regulation in the face of the enormous momentum building globally toward a low carbon economy risks putting the country on a back-foot at a time when most Americans are looking to lead. This decision will make things harder, not easier for Americans.”
—Christiana Figueres, former executive secretary of the UNFCCC and convenor of Mission 2020
“There are countless countries ready to step up and deliver on their climate promises and take advantages of Mr. Trump’s short-termism to reap the benefits of the transition to the low-carbon economy.”
—Laurence Tubiana, chief French negotiator of the 2015 Paris Agreement
“The announcement undermines policies that stimulate economic competitiveness, job creation, infrastructure investment and public health. Many American companies have set ambitious energy efficiency and renewable energy targets. The Clean Power Plan provides a platform for these companies with reliable and resilient sources of clean energy and in turn generates substantial economic and public health benefits.”
—Nigel Topping, CEO of We Mean Business, a coalition working with thousands of the world’s most influential businesses
American Leaders
“We won’t let the president’s misguided decision limit our region’s economic opportunities or our commitment to doing what’s right to make our cities and states cleaner and healthier for future generations. We speak as a region of over 50 million people with a combined GDP of $2.8 trillion. There is no question that to act on climate is to act in our best economic interests.”
“Together, California and New York represent approximately 60 million people — nearly one-in-five Americans — and 20 percent of the nation’s gross domestic product. With or without Washington, we will work with our partners throughout the world to aggressively fight climate change and protect our future.”
In the face of threats from Washington, @JerryBrownGov and I reaffirm our commitment to exceed the targets of the #CleanPowerPlan pic.twitter.com/5nBhMUgAEJ
— Andrew Cuomo (@NYGovCuomo) March 29, 2017
“We won’t hesitate to protect those we serve—including by aggressively opposing in court President Trump’s actions that ignore both the law and the critical importance of confronting the very real threat of climate change.”
“Climate change is both the greatest single threat we face, and our greatest economic opportunity for our nation. That is why we affirm our cities’ commitments to taking every action possible to achieve the principles and goals of the Paris Climate Agreement, and to engage states, businesses and other sectors to join us.”
—Mayors from 75 cities representing more than 41 million Americans
“Rolling back the Clean Power Plan would roll right over 3 million Americans who earn their paychecks every day in the clean energy economy. And it’s not just workers who would suffer — it’s American competitiveness, too.”
“Today’s announcement, while not unexpected, is a clear step in the wrong direction and runs counter to the more than 365 U.S. companies and investors who publicly supported the Clean Power Plan when it was announced in 2015, as well as the more than 1,000 companies and investors who back the recently released the Business Backs Low-Carbon USA statement.”
Read the full article at: https://www.nrdc.org/experts/brendan-guy/world-vows-act-despite-trumps-failed-climate-leadership
