WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Kathy Castor (FL-14), former Chair of the Select Committee on the Climate Crisis, released the following statement as the 28^th Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the United Nations (UN) Climate Change Conference in Dubai, UAE comes to a close:

“It is crucial that the world move quickly to cleaner, cheaper energy to reduce pollution and help people avoid the worst impacts of the climate crisis. As I return from the COP28 climate conference, I am buoyed by pledges to triple renewable energy, double energy efficiency and boost the ability of communities to deal with extreme heat and weather events. I witnessed America’s leadership in action as Biden Administration representatives rallied countries across the globe to go farther and faster on clean energy. Personally, I conveyed a sense of urgency to act following the hottest summer on record in Florida and as neighbors grapple with the escalating costs of air conditioning and property insurance. 

“Our bipartisan House of Representatives delegation met with representatives of other countries and participated in public forums to share our views and collaborate. The trip provided an opportunity to demonstrate to our allies and adversaries that the U.S. is committed to President Biden’s target of slashing climate pollution by 50-52 percent by 2030. This goal aligns with serious risks in the recently released Fifth National Climate Assessment, which states that ‘the effects of human-caused climate change are already far-reaching and worsening across every region of the United States.’

“It was clear at COP28 that the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) — America’s historic climate and clean energy law — has bolstered U.S. climate leadership on the global stage and is now raising the ambition of other nations. Since it was signed by the President in August 2022, the IRA has spurred a wave of new clean energy and manufacturing projects and jobs around the country. In Florida alone, the historic climate law is projected to create more than 85,000 high-quality, good-paying jobs by the end of the decade. Representatives from Australia, Germany and other nations relayed their efforts to pursue similar policies aimed at driving clean energy innovation and economy-wide sustainability.

“While I left feeling hopeful, I also saw fossil fuel lobbyists and OPEC nations flex their muscles to slow progress. We cannot allow oil and gas corporations to divert the world from a safer and healthier future. Leaders across government, the private sector, and the activist community — especially young people — are energized and doing amazing work to help us secure a livable planet. The work is far from over, especially in Congress. I look forward to advancing policies that expand lower-cost clean energy, cut pollution, protect our communities and improve our health.”

Watch Castor's remarks ahead of COP28 here.

Watch Castor’s remarks at the Atlantic Council’s Event on “Rewarding Environmental Performance in Trade” at COP28 here.

Photos from COP28 can be viewed here.