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Some in US reaffirm commitment to climate accord

By Wang Yanfei in Bonn, Germany | chinadaily.com.cn | Updated: 2017-11-11 20:14

Several entities not affiliated with the US federal government reaffirmed their commitment to the Paris Agreement on Climate Change during the United Nations climate talks, despite President Donald Trump's plan to pull out.

Despite federal efforts to roll back policies combating climate change, climate action "remains robust and is accelerating" across an increasing swath of America, according to the America's Pledge report released on Saturday.

The report said non-federal supporters of the Paris pact accounted for $10.1 trillion, or 54 percent, of gross domestic product by the US in 2016.

"California strongly supports the United Nations' unstoppable move to decarbonize the world economy," said California Governor Jerry Brown. "We join with states and cities across America - and around the world - that will continue aggressive and creative action to curb greenhouse gas emissions."

The federal government's decision will not stop others in the US to continue to make a commitment to combat climate change, according to Brown.

"The group of American cities, states, and businesses who remain committed to the Paris Agreement represents a bigger economy than any nation outside the US and China," said Michael R. Bloomberg, the United Nations Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Cities and Climate Change.

Negotiators from about 200 parties gathered in Bonn, Germany to negotiate details on the Paris Agreement sealed in 2015.

The US sent only a small delegation to participate in this year's climate talks.

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