Governor Baker Urges Federal Government to Maintain Commitment to Paris Climate Agreement

Governor Baker Urges Federal Government to Maintain Commitment to Paris Climate Agreement

BOSTON – Today, Governor Charlie Baker and Vermont Governor Phil Scott sent a letter to the Trump Administration urging them to continue the United States’ commitment to the Paris Climate Agreement. The letter cites Massachusetts’ and Vermont’s ongoing nation-leading efforts to combat climate change and stresses the importance of leading on this issue to build a stronger and more resilient country.

“Our states, working individually and in multi-state efforts, have already made tremendous progress in reducing our carbon emissions,” wrote Governors Baker and Scott in the letter. “We believe maintaining this commitment and the U.S. leadership on climate change is the right action for the protection of our children, grandchildren and future generations.”

In the letter, Governors Baker and Scott detail the damage caused by the effects of climate change to the residents, infrastructure and economies of Massachusetts and Vermont. Citing their respective states’ success in reducing greenhouse emissions while building more robust economies, Governor Baker and Governor Scott affirmed belief that the Unites States can reach its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) in a way that benefits the whole country.

This letter reaffirms, and continues, the Baker-Polito Administration’s commitment to prepare for and combat climate change. Last fall, Governor Baker signed Executive Order 569, which lays out a comprehensive approach to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions, safeguard residents, municipalities and businesses from the impacts of climate change, and build a more resilient Commonwealth. 

Last month, the Administration announced the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) program to provide funding to cities and towns to plan for climate change and resiliency efforts.  Furthermore, the Commonwealth has already seen results from its efforts to reduce greenhouse emissions – as of 2014, emissions had decreased 21 percent from 1990 levels.