In a public statement published yesterday, signed by the US national union federation the AFL-CIO and the CEOs of 75 corporate giants including Apple, L'Oreal, Mastercard, Salesforce, Decathlon, the leaders declare participation in the Paris Agreement will help the US "plan for a just transition" and strengthen the country's global competitiveness.
US President Donald Trump promised in 2017 he would withdraw the US from the landmark climate treaty, claiming it was a bad deal for the country. He formally begun that process earlier this year.
Many of the signatories to the statement opposed Trump's decision to exit the Paris Agreement at the time. Two years on, they hope to convince the President to change his mind by pointing out the economic benefits of remaining part of the global treaty.
"Staying in the Paris Agreement will strengthen our competitiveness in global markets, positioning the United States to lead the deployment of new technologies that support the transition, provide for our workers and communities, and create jobs and companies built to last," the statement argues.
"It also supports investment by setting clear goals which enable long-term planning. It encourages innovation to achieve emissions reductions at low cost."
The group also points out the 77 per cent of American voters support the US remaining in the Paris Agreement.
Writing on Twitter, Apple CEO Tim Cook said climate change is humanity's greatest threat, and stressed the world must tackle the challenge together. "Apple will continue our work to leave the planet better than we found it and to make the tools that encourage others to do the same," Cook added, alongside a link to the statement.
Meanwhile, last week a coalition of 126 CEOs in Japan called for the government to boost its 2030 emissions target to bring it in line with the Paris Agreement, which aims to keep warming under two degrees.
Under the treaty Japan has promised to cut its emissions to 26 per cent below 2013 levels by 2030, a pledge which environmental charity Climate Action Tracker judged to be "highly insufficient" and in line with three to four degrees of warming.
The Japan Climate Leaders' Partnership wants Japan to formally adopt a 2050 net zero emissions pledge and raise its 2030 target in line with a 1.5C to 2C trajectory. "Japan needs to demonstrate that it is making proactive efforts, including raising its NDCs, in order to maintain its respected status in the international community," the group warned.
