Insight

U.S. Impact on Paris Climate Agreement

The United States Climate Alliance, currently comprised of 14 states, is “committed to the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions consistent with the goals of the Paris Agreement.”

U.S. Impact Paris Climate Agreement
Lisa S. Zebovitz

Lisa S. Zebovitz

September 5, 2017 02:10 PM

Angela Merkel characterized the United States’ withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement as “extremely regrettable.” The Paris Agreement unified almost every nation with the common goal of fighting climate change. It was remarkable these disparate countries could agree on anything, notwithstanding something with such a far-reaching impact. The commitment to curtailing global temperature rise and cutting greenhouse gases benefits the world’s environment and directly impacts economic growth in clean energy.

The United States’ role in reaching this agreement was instrumental and its standing as an environmental leader is diminished by declining to work in conjunction with virtually the rest of the world. Unchecked, America’s action could significantly impact the climate and influence other countries to withdraw from the Paris Agreement as well. This isolation will also diminish America’s opportunities to participate in the growing clean energy economy.

However, indications seem to be pointing toward a global alliance that will persevere. The coalition that formed the Paris Agreement is dedicated to its implementation. China, the European Union, and other governments are maintaining their commitment to the agreement. Moreover, in America, individual states and mayors from hundreds of cities are supporting the principles of the agreement.

The United States Climate Alliance, currently comprised of 14 states, is “committed to the goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions consistent with the goals of the Paris Agreement,” according to its website. Additionally, corporations, universities, and other institutions that previously initiated efforts to reduce their carbon footprints by reducing greenhouse gas emissions are reaffirming their commitments.

Although the Paris Agreement alone will not eliminate climate change, it provides a science-based approach to address the crisis facing the world. I am optimistic the work of state and local governments and our corporate and institutional citizens will permit America to meet its commitments as stated in the agreement, and that by 2019, the political winds will shift, enabling the United States to take its place as a leader in addressing the climate crisis.

Related Articles

Paris Agreement on Climate Change: Overview and Update


by Beatriz Paulo de Frontin and Márcio Pereira

An overview of the Paris Climate Agreement.

Paris Agreement Climate Change

U.S. Withdrawal from the Paris Agreement


by Violaine du Pontavice

What will be the future for the world’s climate issue?

U.S. Withdrawal Paris Agreement

2020 Vision


by Sean Devlin

What Does Corporate Environmental Concern Look Like in 2020?

Best Lawyers Ones to Watch Canada Search

Going Global


by Joseph K. Reinhart, Esq. and Meredith Odato Graham, Esq.

Expanding the scope of environmental review for the energy sector.

Environmental Review

Critical Period


by Armelle Royer and Maryne Gouhier

How the green-energy raw materials chase is rewriting geopolitics

Overhead shot of mineral extraction plant

Building a Greener Future on Unsolid Ground


by William S. Thomas

As climate change only intensifies, natural disasters are becoming more frequent and shifting how construction legal professionals conduct litigation.

Mutli-level house in the process of being built

9 Ways Lawyers Are Addressing Climate Change Through Environmental Law


by Best Lawyers

To combat climate change and protect depleting resources, Best Lawyers assesses how lawyers play a pivotal role in addressing ongoing environmental problems.

Animated sky polluted by smoke

ESG Changing Texas’ Legal Landscape


by Gregory Sirico

Best Lawyers breaks down the growing industry trend of ESG standards and how its altering the field of law in the state of Texas.

Texas’ Ever Changing Legal Landscape

A Climate Duty


by Samantha Daly and Lara Douvartzidis

Converging trends in Australia and the Netherlands: reasonable foreseeability in climate change law and other novel developments.

Climate Change Law in Australia

Great Rebuild


by Best Lawyers

Néstor Méndez discusses labor peace, junk-bond repercussions, and the laudable resilience of those who call this storm-battered island home.

An Interview With Pietrantoni Méndez & Alvare

Turning Down the Heat


by Janice Zhou

What sort of legal and legislative action is necessary to help put Pennsylvania on the front lines of the battle against climate change?

Depleting Natural Resources in Pennsylvania

Easy Being Green


by Best Lawyers

Markus Deutsch discusses the impact of climate change on the firm and its clients.

An Interview With Dolde Mayen & Partner

Impact of Climate Change on Real Estate Law


by Best Lawyers

Dr. Christian Schede discusses rent in large cities, the effect of Airbnb, and more.

An Interview With Greenberg Traurig

The Generals’ Next War


by Alison Torbitt and Gayatri Joshi

Businesses’ Sense of Corporate Social Responsibility Is Increasingly Driving Long-Term Growth. Here’s How General Counsel Can Best Confront CSR’s Numerous Challenges and Opportunities.

The Generals’ Next War

Hotter and More Intense


by Lori Tripoli

Multiple Category 5 hurricanes. Drought. Wildfires. Climate change isn’t just damaging the environment and our health. It’s impacting the bottom line.

Climate Change

A Better Bottom Line


by Margaret Pierce

How Benefit Corporations are leading the charge to save the world.

A Better Bottom Line

Trending Articles

Introducing the 2026 Best Lawyers Awards in Australia, Japan, New Zealand and Singapore


by Jennifer Verta

This year’s awards reflect the strength of the Best Lawyers network and its role in elevating legal talent worldwide.

2026 Best Lawyers Awards in Australia, Japan, New Zealand and Singapore

Revealing the 2026 Best Lawyers Awards in Germany, France, Switzerland and Austria


by Jamilla Tabbara

These honors underscore the reach of the Best Lawyers network and its focus on top legal talent.

map of Germany, France, Switzerland and Austria

Effective Communication: A Conversation with Jefferson Fisher


by Jamilla Tabbara

The power of effective communication beyond the law.

 Image of Jefferson Fisher and Phillip Greer engaged in a conversation about effective communication

The 2025 Legal Outlook Survey Results Are In


by Jennifer Verta

Discover what Best Lawyers honorees see ahead for the legal industry.

Person standing at a crossroads with multiple intersecting paths and a signpost.

The Best Lawyers Network: Global Recognition with Long-term Value


by Jamilla Tabbara

Learn how Best Lawyers' peer-review process helps recognized lawyers attract more clients and referral opportunities.

Lawyers networking

Jefferson Fisher: The Secrets to Influential Legal Marketing


by Jennifer Verta

How lawyers can apply Jefferson Fisher’s communication and marketing strategies to build trust, attract clients and grow their practice.

Portrait of Jefferson Fisher a legal marketing expert

Is Your Law Firm’s Website Driving Clients Away?


by Jamilla Tabbara

Identify key website issues that may be affecting client engagement and retention.

Phone displaying 'This site cannot be reached' message

A Guide to Workers' Compensation Law for 2025 and Beyond


by Bryan Driscoll

A woman with a laptop screen reflected in her glasses

Best Lawyers Launches CMO Advisory Board


by Jamilla Tabbara

Strategic counsel from legal marketing’s most experienced voices.

Group photo of Best Lawyers CMO Advisory Board members

Common Law Firm Landing Page Problems to Address


by Jamilla Tabbara

Identify key issues on law firm landing pages to improve client engagement and conversion.

Laptop showing law firm landing page analytics

Changes in California Employment Law for 2025


by Laurie Villanueva

What employers need to know to ensure compliance in the coming year and beyond

A pair of hands holding a checklist featuring a generic profile picture and the state of California

New Employment Law Recognizes Extraordinary Stress Is Everyday Reality for NY Lawyers


by Bryan Driscoll

A stressed woman has her head resting on her hands above a laptop

Turn Visitors into Clients with Law Firm Website SEO That Converts


by Jamilla Tabbara

Learn how to create high-converting law firm landing pages that drive client engagement and lead generation.

Laptop screen displaying website tools to improve client conversion rates

SEO for Law Firms: Overcoming Common Challenges


by Jamilla Tabbara

Tackle common SEO challenges and take the next step with our guide, How to Make Your Law Firm Easier to Find Online.

Graphic image of a phone displaying SEO rankings, with positions 1, 2 and 3 on the screen

Best Lawyers Introduces Smithy AI


by Jamilla Tabbara

Transforming legal content creation for attorneys and firms.

Start using Smithy AI, a content tool by Best Lawyers

6 Steps to Finding the Right Keywords for Your Legal Content


by Jamilla Tabbara

Follow a practical guide to keyword research and boost your law firm’s SEO to reach more potential clients.

 letters symbolizing keywords for legal content