New Hampshire Senator Jeanne Shaheen announced she will be introducing the International Climate Accountability Act, the Senate companion bill to the Climate Action Now Act, which passed in the House a few weeks ago. Similar to the Climate Action Now Act, the International Climate Accountability Act aims to ensure that the government is unable to withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement.
The International Climate Accountability Act makes clear that the Paris Climate Agreement is critical to strengthening international cooperation to reduce global greenhouse emissions and hold high-emission nations accountable, and recognizes the important role the Agreement plays in protecting and advancing U.S. economic interests and foreign policy priorities around the globe.
Gov. Shaheen’s legislation would prevent the President from using funds to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord. Instead, the bill directs the Trump administration to develop a strategic plan for the country to meet its commitment and standards as required under the 2015 Paris Climate Agreement, which the United States joined with nearly 200 other nations.
It was recently reported that as many as 80 nations plan to increase their commitment to the Paris Agreement ahead of schedule. The Agreement, which entered into force on November 4, 2016, has been signed by every nation, and the earliest the U.S. will be able to complete Trump’s withdrawal is November 4, 2020, one day after the next U.S. Presidential election.
“The Sierra Club applauds Senator Shaheen and Congressional Democrats for demanding climate action,” said Sierra Club Executive Director, Michael Brune. “While Donald Trump may be seeking to retreat from global leadership, Democrats are listening to the majority of Americans and taking up the mantle of strong climate leadership.”
Two years ago, President Trump announced he intends to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Climate Agreement. However, according to the terms of the Agreement, no country can begin the withdrawal process until three years after the Agreement enters into force and the withdrawal would not take effect for one year after that date.
“America’s leaders must tackle the climate crisis to protect public health, create family-sustaining clean energy jobs, and provide a livable future for all,” added Shaheen. “The Sierra Club calls on all Senators to co-sponsor the commonsense International Climate Accountability Act.”
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