Commitment to Adopt, Honor, and Uphold the Paris Agreement
I. BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:
WHEREAS, the scientific community has reached an overwhelming consensus that the earth’s climate is warming and human activity — specifically, burning fossil fuels that emit carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases — is the primary cause of warming;
WHEREAS, large coastal cities such as Washington, DC are disproportionately vulnerable to the effects of climate change, including extreme heat, severe storms, and sea level rise;
WHEREAS, reducing carbon emissions will help protect Washington, DC residents and future generations — particularly those who are most economically and physically vulnerable — and mitigate the consequences of extreme weather that hurt the Washington, DC economy;
WHEREAS, reducing carbon emissions and preparing for climate change will reduce illnesses caused by air pollution, high heat, and extreme weather;
WHEREAS, Washington, DC is committed to the goal of reducing carbon emissions 50 percent by 2032 and 80 percent by 2050 from 2006 levels established in the Sustainable DC plan, increasing renewable energy and reducing energy consumption as envisioned in the Clean Energy DC plan, and preparing for the effects of climate change by implementing the Climate Ready DC plan;
WHEREAS, over the past two years, Washington, DC has launched Climate Ready DC, entered into one of the largest municipal onsite solar projects in the United States, and completed one of the largest wind power purchase agreement deals ever entered into by an American city;
WHEREAS, President Trump has committed to withdrawing the United States from the Paris Agreement, thereby retreating from the commitment to limit global warming to below two degrees Celsius; and
WHEREAS, Washington, DC and other state and local governments must commit to aggressive climate action in the absence of federal leadership.
II. COMMITMENT:
A. The District of Columbia Government hereby commits to proportionally upholding the commitment made by the United States in the Paris Agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions between 26 and 28 percent by 2025 from 2005 levels, and further commits to reduce carbon emissions 50 percent by 2032 and 80- percent by 2050 below 2006 levels established in Washington, DC’s Sustainable DC plan.
B. The District of Columbia Government, led by the Department of Energy & Environment, shall implement the Clean Energy Plan, developed pursuant to the authority set out in D.C. Official Code 8–171.04(e) and the Sustainable DC plan developed pursuant to the authority set out in Mayor’s Order 2013–209, dated November 5, 2013, and develop other plans as necessary, to achieve greenhouse gas reduction targets.
C. The District of Columbia Government shall implement and regularly update the Climate Ready DC plan, which sets out Washington, DC’s strategy to prepare for and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
D. In accordance with the Global Covenant of Mayors for Climate & Energy, the District of Columbia Government shall report citywide carbon emissions annually.
III. EFFECTIVE DATE: This order shall become effective immediately.
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