Last week, on Earth Day, the Paris Climate Change Agreement, which was established at COP21 in December 2015, was signed at the United Nations headquarters in New York by over 155 representatives of Parties under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). US Secretary of State John Kerry signed the Agreement on behalf of the United States.</p.

Leading up to the signing ceremony, the Vermont Energy Investment Corporation (VEIC) joined the “Business Backs Low-Carbon USA” effort—a group of over 100 businesses that recognize the risk that climate change poses to the U.S. economy and pledge to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The group released a statement hailing the agreement and encouraging timely implementation of the climate commitments laid out at COP21. In addition, Business Backs Low-Carbon USA calls on leaders for swift implementation of the EPA Clean Power Plan and smart investments in the low-carbon economy both at home and abroad.

VEIC is proud to stand alongside the other companies that have joined this effort. VEIC set a goal to reduce GHG emissions at a rate of 20 million tons per year by 2027 as a result of its work. In addition, VEIC aims to reduce the average GHG footprint per staff person by 50% as measured against 2007 per-employee levels.

A strong global climate agreement and the transition to a low-carbon economy are in the best interests of the global economy and future generations. Now we must focus our efforts and attentions to the Agreement’s proper implementation.

Learn more about our mission to reduce GHG emissions.