Phillips applauds global commitment to battling climate change

December 14, 2015

Summary

Paris agreement will monitor and report results in reducing greenhouse gases

Story

Metropolitan King County Council Chair Larry Phillips is calling the agreement announced in Paris at the end of the COP21 climate summit, a game changing document in the effort to reduce the impacts of global warming.

“On Saturday, December 12th the world reached an agreement of historic proportions in meeting one of the greatest challenges of our times: Climate Change,” said Phillips, who was a delegate at the climate conference. After weeks of work and great pressure to reach a meaningful accord, the nations of the world finally agreed to attack an issue that threatens all of us. With rapidly rising temperatures and dramatically increased severe weather events, the leaders of the world are united to take major and unprecedented steps in arresting fossil fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. With this action, we can begin to move toward a carbon free future and renewable energy sources to support the growth of our economies. It is truly an extraordinary moment for the people, and the nations, of the world.”

The 195 nations that participated in the conference announced that an agreement has been reached on an ambitious, transparent approach in the reduction of greenhouse emissions. All nations have offered emissions reduction commitments, including developing nations like China and India. The agreement establishes a framework for revisiting and strengthening the targets every five years.

Phillips, as a member of the Local Climate Leader’s Circle, a delegation of US local officials, met with senior White House officials, senior members of the US State Department delegation, Cabinet-level agency officials, US Senators to stress the importance of reaching an agreement.