New York To Step Up Environmental Efforts One Year After Paris Climate Accords Pullout

New York State will be doing more to combat climate change, Gov. Cuomo said today.

 

The state, along with Puerto Rico and 15 other states, is making committments to further modernize its electric grid, store carbon in forests and farms, and reduce pollutants, among other initiatives. 

 

The states, part of the U.S. Climate Alliance, are working to keep targets established at the  Paris Climate Accords. The goal is to reduce carbon emissions by nearly 30 percent from 2005 levels within the next seven years. 

 

"New York's commitment to the Paris Agreement is stronger than ever, as we continue to strengthen the U.S. Climate Alliance global fight against climate change," Gov. Cuomo said. "Despite the federal government's environmental inaction, New York and the coalition of states will lead by example with unprecedented investments in renewable energy, cutting harmful emissions, all while creating a clean energy economy."

 

The states' goals are: reducing pollutants, further investing in renewable energy, expanding the use of low carbon emission vehicles, increasing carbon storage in landscapes, and modernizing the electric grid. 

 

As part of the initiative, the NY Green Bank is raising at least $1 billion from the private sector to help build more resources. The alliance is also partnering with the Nature Conservancy and the National Council on Science and the Environment in its efforts.