The issue of how business will fare, respond or be affected by President Donald Trump’s decision to pull out of the Paris Climate Change Agreement received much attention after Trump’s announcement yesterday. Responses to the move in California often highlighted the business issue in both supporting and opposing the president’ move.
Trump argued that his decision would help preserve jobs and businesses in the United States. The Wall Street Journal reported that many companies will not change strategies because of the announcement. According to the Journal, these companies are responding to shareholder or customer demands to reduce greenhouse gases; are on the path to converting to renewable energies; or businesses in states like California are responding to state mandates to reduce their carbon footprint.
While some energy companies, particularly coal companies, applauded the president, other company leaders expressed disappointment. Business always likes certainty and many business leaders complained that they want to follow a consistent set of rules to face the challenge of climate change. One such company urging a consistent message was ExxonMobil, the country’s largest oil producer. General Electric’s chief executive, Jeffrey Immelt said, “Climate change is real. Industry must now lead and not depend on government.”
In California, both foes and advocates of the president’s decision used the business issue in commenting on Trump’s move.
Gov. Jerry Brown said California’s growing economy and new jobs were created under the state’s strong climate change mandates.
NextGen Climate president Tom Steyer called on business leaders to take actions to protect the climate and create jobs to offset Trump’s poor decision.
California Manufacturers & Technology president Dorothy Rothrock urged California to lead in reducing emissions with a market-based approach that protects manufacturing jobs.
Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Bakersfield) said Trump made the right choice by relieving a burden on the United States and freeing private enterprise to create more jobs.
Excerpts from Brown, Steyer, Rothrock and McCarthy statements are below
Governor Jerry Brown:
“California, the sixth-largest economy in the world, has advanced its nation-leading climate goals while also growing the economy. In the last seven years, California has created 2.3 million new jobs – outpacing most of the United States – cut its unemployment rate in half, eliminated a $27 billion budget deficit and has seen its credit rating rise to the highest level in more than a decade.”
NextGen Climate President Tom Steyer:
“Yet, we must remain spirited and hopeful in our demands to honor the ideals behind the Paris Agreement. It’s now up to states, cities, and local communities to pick up the mantle of leadership and take the actions necessary to protect our children and leave them a better world. It’s also time for courageous action from American business leaders, who know clean energy is simply the better way to clean the air, protect our health and create jobs.”
California Manufacturers & Technology Association president Dorothy Rothrock:
“California has an ambitious goal to reduce climate change emissions by 2030 no matter what program is in place for other jurisdictions. However, with the announcement by President Trump to withdraw from the Paris Climate Change Accord, California has a new reason to provide meaningful leadership by adopting a market-based approach to reduce emissions that will protect manufacturing jobs and keep costs affordable for consumers.”
Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy:
“The American energy renaissance has been good for our country and the world. It created American jobs, freed the United States and our allies from OPEC price controls, and helped to reduce emissions at the same time. The previous Administration refused to recognize that private innovation and clean American natural gas have achieved more than government mandates and misguided international agreements—and that naiveté led President Obama to sign a climate deal that will impose great costs with little gain. President Trump made the right call in leaving a deal that would have put an unnecessary burden on the United States.”