WASHINGTON, D.C. (November 16, 2016) As world leaders gather in Marrakech, Morocco, for COP22, the Obama administration today announced a Mid-Century Strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80 percent from 2005 levels by 2050. The BlueGreen Alliance released the following statement from Executive Director Kim Glas:

“We applaud today’s announcement by the United States to make a long-term commitment to reduce our nation’s greenhouse gas emissions. We have a significant opportunity to create and maintain middle-class jobs while also taking action on climate change. Doing so will establish a competitive advantage for U.S. industries and spur job creation and economic growth in our own country with investments in the infrastructure and clean technologies that will power our future. 

“Now more than ever, the United States must continue to lead the world in this international effort to address climate change. The Paris Climate Agreement is a critical step forward in keeping global temperature rise to an increase of 1.5 degrees, and as the world’s second largest emitter, the United States must continue to show strong leadership. The Obama administration has firmly cemented the United States as a global leader in this fight and established sound domestic policies that put us on track to meeting our commitments.”