APA Opposes Withdrawal From the Paris Climate Agreement

The American Planning Association is urging the Trump administration to rescind its decision to withdraw the country from the Paris Climate Agreement.

1 minute read

November 15, 2019, 8:00 AM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Protest

Avivi Aharon / Shutterstock

"The American Planning Association (APA) strongly opposes the decision by the Trump administration to withdraw the United States from the landmark Paris Climate Agreement," according to a statement released by the APA this week. The statement is credited to APA President Kurt Christiansen.

"This withdrawal undermines the role of the country as a leader in addressing our climate crisis and threatens to put further out of reach critical goals for stabilizing global temperatures and reducing greenhouse gas emissions," adds the statement.

The APA also put out a press release promoting the statement, citing the organizations ongoing effort to update its "APA's Policy Guide on Climate Change."

After ordering the U.S. out of the Paris Climate Agreement in 2017, the Trump administration formally informed the United Nations of its intentions to withdraw from the agreement earlier this month.

Wednesday, November 13, 2019 in American Planning Association

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Get top-rated, practical training

Aerial view of single-family homes with swimming pools in San Diego, California.

San Diego to Rescind Multi-Unit ADU Rule

The city wants to close a loophole that allowed developers to build apartment buildings on single-family lots as ADUs.

March 9, 2025 - Axios

Canadian flag in foreground with blurred Canadian Parliament building in background in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.

Has President Trump Met His Match?

Doug Ford, the no-nonsense premier of Canada's most populous province, Ontario, is taking on Trump where it hurts — making American energy more expensive.

March 11, 2025 - Toronto Star

Close-up of green ULEZ sign in London, UK.

Study: London ULEZ Rapidly Cleaning up Air Pollution

Expanding the city’s ultra low-emission zone has resulted in dramatic drops in particle emissions in inner and outer London.

March 10, 2025 - Smart Cities World

Tents set up by unhoused people under freeway overpass in San Jose, California with American flag above them.

San Jose Mayor Takes Dual Approach to Unsheltered Homeless Population

In a commentary published in The Mercury News, Mayor Matt Mahan describes a shelter and law enforcement approach to ending targeted homeless encampments within Northern California's largest city.

March 14 - The Mercury News

Blue Atlanta streetcar on street in downtown Atlanta, Georgia.

Atlanta Changes Beltline Rail Plan

City officials say they are committed to building rail connections, but are nixing a prior plan to extend the streetcar network.

March 14 - Saporta Report

New York City city hall building.

Are Black Mayors Being Pushed Out of Office?

The mayors of New York, St. Louis, and Pittsburgh all stand to lose their seats in the coming weeks. They also all happen to be Black.

March 14 - Governing

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.