Page 1 of 2
MOTION
OF THE PORT OF SEATTLE COMMISSION
TO BE A SIGNATORY TO THE “WE ARE STILL IN”
OPEN LETTER DECLARING OUR COMMITMENT
TO
REDUCE THE THREAT OF CLIMATE CHANGE
ADOPTED
JUNE 27, 2017
TEXT OF THE MOTION
The Port of Seattle intends to be a signatory to the “We Are Still In” open letter to the
international community and parties to the Paris Agreement declaring our intent to continue to
ensure the U.S. remains a global leader in reducing carbon emissions.
We also pledge support for “Climate Neutral Now,” an airport movement sponsored by the
United Nations. Our pledge would state that we will strive toward greenhouse gas neutral
emissions by mid-century, in line with our Century Agenda greenhouse gas reduction goals, and
that we will document our progress through Airport Carbon Accreditation.
STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF THE MOTION
The Port of Seattle supports efforts by the international community, the United States, the State
of Washington, King County, and Seattle to reduce the threat of climate change.
The Port of Seattle is committed to efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while pursuing
strategies to strengthen the region’s competitive position and create new economic opportunities.
Furthermore, in January 2016, the Port Commission established the Energy and Sustainability
Policy Committee to develop and propose new environmental initiatives across the organization.
The Port of Seattle, as a special purpose municipal corporation and a separate public agency
from the City and County, will join signatories representing 125 cities, 9 states, 902 businesses
and investors, and 183 colleges and universities in submitting an open letter.
The letter reads as follows:
We, the undersigned mayors, governors, college and university leaders, investors and
businesses, are joining forces for the first time to declare that we will continue to support
climate action to meet the Paris Agreement.
In December 2015 in Paris, world leaders signed the first global commitment to fight
climate change. The landmark agreement succeeded where past attempts failed because it
allowed each country to set its own emission reduction targets and adopt its own
Page 2 of 2
strategies for reaching them. In addition, nations – inspired by the actions of local and
regional governments, along with businesses – came to recognize that fighting climate
change brings significant economic and public health benefits.
The Trump administration’s announcement undermines a key pillar in the fight against
climate change and damages the world’s ability to avoid the most dangerous and costly
effects of climate change. Importantly, it is also out of step with what is happening in the
United States.
In the U.S., it is local and state governments, along with businesses, that are primarily
responsible for the dramatic decrease in greenhouse gas emissions in recent years.
Actions by each group will multiply and accelerate in the years ahead, no matter what
policies Washington may adopt.
In the absence of leadership from Washington, states, cities, colleges and universities and
businesses representing a sizeable percentage of the U.S. economy will pursue ambitious
climate goals, working together to take forceful action and to ensure that the U.S. remains
a global leader in reducing emissions.
It is imperative that the world know that in the U.S., the actors that will provide the
leadership necessary to meet our Paris commitment are found in city halls, state capitals,
colleges and universities, investors and businesses. Together, we will remain actively
engaged with the international community as part of the global effort to hold warming to
well below 2°C and to accelerate the transition to a clean energy economy that will
benefit our security, prosperity, and health.
