"We are still in": Tech giants join growing alliance to honor Paris climate agreement
Some of the biggest names in technology — from Apple to Amazon, Google, Lyft and Spotify — have jumped on board the growing movement of businesses and civic organizations committed to honoring the Paris Agreement on climate change, regardless of the U.S. government's lack of support. The announcement comes days after President Trump announced his decision to withdraw from the landmark deal signed by 195 nations.
"In the absence of leadership from Washington, states, cities, colleges and universities and businesses representing a sizeable percentage of the U.S. economy will pursue ambitious climate goals, working together to take forceful action and to ensure that the U.S. remains a global leader in reducing emissions," the coalition, which now consists of more than 1,000 cities, counties, states, universities and businesses, said in a statement released Monday.
Going by the name "We Are Still In," the coalition called itself "the broadest cross section of the American economy yet assembled in pursuit of climate action." It includes states like New York and California and more than a dozen Fortune 500 companies.
The effort is led by philanthropist and former New York City mayor Michael Bloomberg.
"In the absence of a supportive federal coordinating role, [city, state, business, and civil society] actors will more closely coordinate their own decarbonization actions. Collectively, they will redouble their efforts to ensure that the U.S. achieves the carbon emissions reductions it pledged under the Paris Agreement," Bloomberg wrote in a letter to the United Nations secretary-general.
He added: "We do not intend to slow down."
The philanthropist has promised to contribute the $15 million the United Nations climate change secretariat now stands to lose from Washington.
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