Evanston Mayor Reaffirms Commitment To Paris Climate Accord

EVANSTON, IL — Mayor Steve Hagerty joined Friday with 180 U.S. mayors, known informally as the "Climate Mayors", to object to President Donald Trump's announcement he would withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord, a non-binding global agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The group, officially known as the Mayors' National Climate Action Agenda, pledged that cities governed by its members would adopt the terms of the agreement regardless of White House policy. Former Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel are founding members of the group.

"Despite actions from the White House, Evanston remains committed to the goals of the agreement," Hagerty said in a statement. He said Evanston has long been a leader in local climate action. "Since the City Council’s unanimous decision to support participation in the U.S. Conference of Mayors Climate Protection Agreement in 2006, Evanston has implemented two climate action plans, received a 4-STAR Community Rating as a sustainable city, and been named the U.S. Earth Hour City Capital, among other achievements."

"There’s no finish line when it comes to protecting the environment," Hagerty said. "As Mayor, I'm committed to continuous action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in our city, encourage energy efficiency, and work toward a sustainable future for all." (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest news for Evanston — or your neighborhood. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.)

Hagerty noted that in 2013 Evanston became one of the select few communities in the U.S. to succeed in achieving its commitment to the Conference of Mayors' agreement by cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 13 percent below 2005 levels. The new mayor said Evanston "is currently evaluating" whether it managed last year to cut emissions to 20 percent below 2005 baselines, as it aimed to do in the 2014 Evanston Livability Plan. "Still, there’s more work to be done."

RELATED: Trump On Climate Accord: 'I Was Elected To Represent The Citizens Of Pittsburgh, Not Paris'

"As the Trump administration steps aside in the fight against climate change, it’s more important than ever that cities like Evanston lead," Hagerty said. "I’m proud to be a part of the Compact of Mayors, a global coalition of 648 city leaders representing 486 million people worldwide dedicated to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, making their communities more resilient to climate change, and regularly reporting their progress publicly."

The U.S. group of "Climate Mayors" started under President Barack Obama's administration as a way to help pave the way for the United States to adopt the Paris Accord. Other mayors who are part of this coalition include New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, Philadelphia Mayor Michael Nutter, Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, Highland Park Mayor Nancy Rotering and Elgin Mayor David Kaptain.

"As 180 US Mayors representing 51 million Americans, we will adopt, honor, and uphold the commitments to the goals enshrined in the Paris Agreement," a statement from the group said. "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."

During his announcement Thursday to withdraw US involvement with the Paris Accord, Trump criticized the agreement's "draconian" measures and claimed it hurt the United States economically by not doing enough to rein in emissions by China and India.

"I cannot in good conscience support a deal that punishes the United States," he said. "I was elected to represent the citizens of Pittsburgh, not Paris."

However, the president did say he was open to renegotiating the deal, a step leaders of France, Germany and Italy (but not Britain) said was off the table.

Top photo: Evanston Mayor Steve Hagerty | Submitted | Patch editor Joe Vince Contributed