Esther Manheimer, Asheville mayor (Photo: Manheimer campaign)
This post has been updated to reflect additional North Carolina mayors that have signed the agenda.
President Donald Trump might think the Paris Climate Agreement is a “bad deal” for America, but five eight North Carolina mayors say they will continue to work toward achieving the climate goals of that non-binding accord.
Despite President Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, 86 US mayors — all members of joining the Mayors National Climate Agenda — have committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, investing in renewable energy and energy efficiency and “standing for environmental justice.”
This is the list of the North Carolina leaders who have joined the Mayors National Climate Action Agenda:
- Esther Manheimer, Asheville
- Allen Joines, Winston-Salem
- Jennifer Roberts, Charlotte
- Bill Bell, Durham
- Tom Stevens, Hillsborough
- Nancy Vaughan, Greensboro
- Lydia Lavelle, Carrboro
- Pam Hemminger, Chapel Hill
Pam Hemminger, mayor of Chapel Hill (Photo: Town of Chapel Hill)
Raleigh Mayor Nancy McFarlane has not yet joined the group. McFarlane was out of town Friday, but her office said she is looking into the new organization. McFarlane has signed the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ Climate Protection Agreement, which vowing to reduce carbon emissions in their respective cities below 1990 levels.
In April, North Carolina Attorney General Josh Stein and 12 other attorneys general sent a letter to Trump, asking him not to withdraw from the pact. Only two other countries besides the US did not join the Paris Climate Agreement: Syria and Nicaragua.
Yesterday Stein reiterated the state’s commitment to the agreement:
“Withdrawal from the climate accord is a major setback to our efforts to promote clean energy, increase clean tech jobs and guarantee national security. As Attorney General, I will continue to fight for clean energy policies that help protect our air and water.”
The Mayors National Climate Action Agenda issued this statement today:
As 86 Mayors representing 40 million Americans, we will adopt, honor, and uphold the commitments to the goals enshrined in the Paris Agreement. We will intensify efforts to meet each of our cities’ current climate goals, push for new action to meet the 1.5 degrees Celsius target, and work together to create a 21st century clean energy economy.
We will continue to lead. We are increasing investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency. We will buy and create more demand for electric cars and trucks. We will increase our efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions, create a clean energy economy, and stand for environmental justice. And if the President wants to break the promises made to our allies enshrined in the historic Paris Agreement, we’ll build and strengthen relationships around the world to protect the planet from devastating climate risks.
The world cannot wait — and neither will we.
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