FOR THE FUTURE

Port Authority Considers Joining Paris Climate Agreement

Trump announced in June 2017 that the United States would be leaving the climate accord.

After President Trump effectively pulled the United States out of the Paris Agreement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions last June, over a dozen states responded by independently committing to the environmental pact. This Tuesday, the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey announced they would also consider a similar move. The agency—one of the largest transportation systems in the country—will consider on Thursday cutting emissions 35 percent below 2006 pollution levels over the next eight years. By 2050, emissions should fall 80 percent below that level. New York and New Jersey are two of the states that have committed to the climate-saving effort. Rick Cotton, executive director of the Port Authority, said in an interview, “The Port Authority ought to join with the two states in embracing the Paris Accord and doing what we can do to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions.” In order to reach both the 2025 and the 2050 goals, the Port Authority plans to take a number of steps, including shifting to electric vehicles for all airport shuttles and half of its light duty fleet.