Showing All-Of-Society U.S. Commitment to Climate Action, U.S. Federal Government and America Is All In Come Together at COP26
Bloomberg Philanthropies announces it will provide $10 million in funding to ensure the whole-of-society approach continues by supporting collaboration, research, and mobilization among cities, states, businesses, and local leaders as the U.S. enters a critical moment in the climate fight
Glasgow, Scotland — Today, at the 26th Conference of Parties (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland, the Biden-Harris Administration and American non-federal leaders came together to celebrate the re-engagement of the U.S. federal government in the global climate effort and show the collective momentum across sectors for ambitious climate action. America Is All In co-chair and UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy on Climate Ambition and Solutions Michael R. Bloomberg, and All In coalition members New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, National Congress of American Indians President Fawn Sharp, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell, and others celebrated the return of the U.S. government after a five-year absence. The All In coalition members joined National Climate Advisor Gina McCarthy on stage to open the U.S. Center and show the United States’s commitment to a whole-of-society approach to climate action and global climate leadership. The event comes just five days after President Biden announced legislation that includes the biggest investment in climate action in U.S. history.
Bloomberg also announced that Bloomberg Philanthropies is committing $10 million in funding to ensure that a whole-of-society approach continues as the United States works to pass and implement landmark climate legislation, and cities, states, businesses, and other organizations can continue to collaborate on climate research, campaigns, and advocacy.
At the U.S. Center, McCarthy praised the leadership from the public and private sectors that carried the torch on climate during the previous administration and acknowledged these actors’ commitments were pivotal in keeping the U.S. from falling too far behind on its national climate commitments. Bloomberg and others from All In celebrated the return of the U.S. federal government to the international stage, recognizing that leadership at all levels of government and across all parts of society is needed to adequately address the impacts of climate change.
“In the United States, cities have held down the fort over the past four years—and they are a big reason we are keeping the targets we set in the Paris Agreement within reach. But now that we have a strong partner in the White House, we can raise the bar higher and do more faster,” said Michael R. Bloomberg, UN Special Envoy on Climate Ambition and Solutions and founder of Bloomberg L.P. and Bloomberg Philanthropies. “By working together, federal and subnational actors won’t only combat climate change. They’ll also improve public health, create jobs, grow the economy, save money, and fight inequality. So there really is no excuse for inaction – and there is nothing we can’t accomplish if we work together.”
“Even though the prior administration didn’t particularly like to talk about climate change, this country, our country, made progress towards a clean energy future despite climate denial. Even in the absence of federal leadership, who was it that stood up? It was our states; it was our cities; it was our tribal nations; it was our territories, our local governments. They kept advancing climate solutions from the bottom up. Guess why? Because that’s how real sustainable action happens,” said Gina McCarthy, National Climate Advisor. “Businesses also kept seizing opportunities for sustainable practices, clean energy investments that kept our country growing. Our innovators kept making breakthroughs, so that we could dramatically reduce the cost of technologies like wind and solar. We are moving forward. So this pathway for the United States is firmly set, and no one is going to reverse it.”
As a tribal citizen, an American, and a national and international indigenous leader, it’s critical to include tribal leadership for guidance and expertise on fighting climate change,” said Fawn Sharp, President of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI). “After participating in multiple COPs in years past, it’s encouraging to personally witness the U.S. federal government back with a renewed sense of collaboration and willingness to ensure all voices are at the table for our national and international efforts. NCAI firmly believes that by upholding global obligations to Indigenous Peoples, states and the international community can make significant headway towards crafting solutions to our shared climate crisis.”
“States like mine stepped up under the previous administration, showing that meaningful climate action is possible even without federal leadership,” said New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham. “We embraced cutting edge policy to meet our climate commitments and today, we are proud to be a model for states across the country. The U.S. Climate Alliance has provided a platform for states to share their actions and collective commitments, and it’s so encouraging to have a federal government that will help us build on these successes in our home states. On behalf of the Alliance, we are thankful to once again have an Administration that understands the importance of climate action and knows we don’t have any time to spare.”
“The City of New Orleans remains on the frontlines of developing climate change policy and sustainability initiatives, as we work in partnership with other cities as incubators in spearheading action and progress,” said New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell. “Our City faces the risks associated with climate change with each severe weather event and every hurricane season. We must create a pathway to better mitigate these impacts to increase resiliency as outlined in the Blueprint 2030 report, which builds credibility for the U.S. 2030 NDC pledge by embracing policies that will reduce emissions across sectors.”
“Every company, government, and individual has a role to play in building a sustainable future – the climate crisis demands action from every angle,” said Salesforce President & Chief Revenue Officer Gavin Patterson. “Real change requires leaders across the public and private sector to step up and work together, prioritizing long-term economic success and environmental stewardship. We must rise to this challenge, together. We fully support the call for federal policy to accelerate climate action.”
Last month, America Is All In released a comprehensive set of specific policies and actions that can deliver on the United States’ commitment to reduce emissions 50 to 52 percent below 2005 levels by 2030. Based on deep and robust analytical methodology, “Blueprint 2030: An All-In Climate Strategy for Faster, More Durable Emissions Reductions” reveals how an all-of-society approach is the clearest path to successfully cutting U.S. emissions by at least 50 percent by 2030 and setting the stage for a fully decarbonized economy well in advance of mid-century.
During the previous administration, American cities, states, tribes, companies, colleges and other institutions have stepped up their own efforts to keep the U.S. within reach of its climate commitments. Their actions built a solid foundation the US federal government can build on to strengthen and implement its climate targets. Now, President Biden has unveiled a framework for the Build Back Better Act, which would be the largest effort to combat climate change in American history. This is what an all-of-society approach requires. Swift passage by Congress can ensure the U.S. meet its climate goals and raise international ambition on climate.
###
About America Is All In
America Is All In is the most expansive coalition of leaders ever assembled in support of climate action in the United States. Mobilizing thousands of U.S. cities, states, tribal nations, businesses, schools, and faith, health, and cultural institutions, the coalition is focused on pushing and partnering with the federal government to develop an ambitious, all-in national climate strategy that meets the urgency of the climate crisis; scaling climate action around the country to accelerate the transition to a 100 percent clean energy economy; and promoting the leadership of non-federal actors on the world stage.
Led by the U.N. Secretary General’s Special Envoy on Climate Ambition and Solutions Michael R. Bloomberg, Washington Governor Jay Inslee, Charlotte, NC Mayor Vi Lyles, and CEO of CommonSpirit Health Lloyd Dean, America Is All In is driving a nationwide movement to cut U.S. emissions in half or more by 2030 from 2005 levels and reach net zero emissions by 2050, while guarding against the impacts of climate disruption.
Alongside whole-of-government action on climate, America Is All In champions a whole-of-society mobilization to deliver the transformational change that science demands, with the goal of a healthy, prosperous, equitable, and sustainable future. To learn more or get involved, visit www.americaisallin.com. Twitter: @americaisallin #AmericaIsAllIn #AllInOnClimate
About Bloomberg Philanthropies
Bloomberg Philanthropies invests in 810 cities and 170 countries around the world to ensure better, longer lives for the greatest number of people. The organization focuses on five key areas for creating lasting change: the Arts, Education, Environment, Government Innovation, and Public Health. Bloomberg Philanthropies encompasses all of Michael R. Bloomberg’s giving, including his foundation, corporate, and personal philanthropy as well as Bloomberg Associates, a pro bono consultancy that works in cities around the world. In 2020, Bloomberg Philanthropies distributed $1.6 billion. For more information, please visit bloomberg.org or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and Twitter.
Media Contact:
Andrew Overton