Representative Adriano Espaillat Attends United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow
Espaillat Joins Congressional Delegation Led by Speaker Nancy Pelosi on behalf of the United States House of Representatives
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Representative Adriano Espaillat (NY-13) joined Speaker Nancy Pelosi and a Congressional delegation to the United Nations Climate Change Conference, or “COP26,” in Glasgow, Scotland on behalf of the United States House of Representatives. In Glasgow, the delegation will participate in bilateral meetings, panel discussions and other engagements with global leaders on top climate priorities, including the recent IPCC report, gender equity and public-private sector coordination on climate action. View photos of Rep. Espaillat and delegation during COP26. "We can no longer ignore the climate crisis and I commend President Biden's leadership during this year's United Nations Climate Change Conference following the backtracking by the previous administration to remove the United States from the Paris Agreement,” said Rep. Espaillat. "I look forward to working with climate justice champions to ensure international commitments to combat the impact of global warming, and I remain committed to ensuring the effects of the climate crisis on poor, developing populations and people of color across the world remain at the forefront of our policy discussions with international leaders in attendance during this year’s conference.” The CoDel comes shortly after the House passed the Bipartisan Infrastructure and Jobs Act which rebuilds America’s infrastructure, tackles the climate crisis, advances environmental justice, and invests in communities that have too often been left behind. Following the Members' return, the House is expected to pass the Build Back Act, President Biden’s signature social safety net and climate change bill. The Build Back Better Act will invest more than $550 billion to deliver the largest effort to combat climate change in American history. “The climate crisis is the existential threat of our time, and America must continue to bring our boldest ambitions to the table to meet and beat our climate action goals,” said Speaker Nancy Pelosi. “Together with this outstanding, experienced and diverse delegation including Committee Chairs, Members of the House Select Committee on Climate Crisis and respected Members of Congress, I am honored to once again return to the United Nations Climate Change Conference to convey the strong commitment of the U.S. Congress in addressing this crisis and doing so in a way that puts justice and equity – particularly for indigenous communities – first.” A champion of climate and environmental justice, during the 116th and 117th Congresses, Espaillat has introduced his Green Climate Fund Authorization Act (H.R.2774), which authorizes $4 Million for the GCF for two consecutive years to help support the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change to help developing countries limit or reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change. Additionally, Espaillat introduced the Secure E-Waste Export and Recycling Act (SEERA) Act (H.R 3036), a bipartisan, bicameral climate and national security priority in Congress to further demonstrate good faith and U.S. leadership to combat the flow of electronic waste (e-waste) internationally. Last Congress, Espaillat passed his environmental justice amendment H.R. 9 – the Climate Action Now Act, the first congressional vote in a decade to address the threats of climate change that would ensure that the United States follows through on its Paris Agreement commitments. The United Nations Climate Change Conferences are yearly conferences held in the framework of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). They serve as the formal meeting of the UNFCCC parties (Conference of the Parties, COP) to assess progress in dealing with climate change, and beginning in the mid-1990s, to negotiate the Kyoto Protocol to establish legally binding obligations for developed countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. In addition to Rep. Espaillat, other Members of the delegation are:
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