EU seeks climate allies among US cities, states, says EU's VP Maros Sefcovic

European Commission Vice-President for Energy Union Maros Sefcovic speaks at the European Parliament in Brussels. PHOTO: EPA

BRUSSELS (REUTERS) - The European Union is looking for allies among cities and states to save the Paris Agreement after the federal government of the United States withdrew from the accord last week, EU Commission Vice President Maros Sefcovic said on Monday (June 5).

Last week, US President Donald Trump said he would pull his country out of the agreement to globally reduce greenhouse gas emissions, saying it would undermine the economy, wipe out jobs, weaken national sovereignty and put his country at a permanent disadvantage.

Sefcovic was travelling to Beijing on Monday for a meeting of ministers to discuss innovation in clean energy and will meet with, among others, California Governor Jerry Brown, a vocal critic of the Trump administration's decision to leave.

"I'm quite optimistic when I see the reaction from the states, from the cities, from the mayors, from all important US companies, that they will still push for an active fight against climate change," Sefcovic said by phone. "The message to Jerry Brown will be to push ahead."

Sefcovic said that Brussels would host a meeting of mayors from around the world by the end of the year, chaired by former New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, to discuss climate change.

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