By Imogen Ainsworth and Christiane Mimra

“Cheers, tears, and selfies”

On December 12, 2015, the world witnessed a historic moment: the adoption of the Paris Agreement. The images of that day—delegates embracing, tears of relief, and a flurry of selfies—captured the weight of what had just happened. Nearly every country on Earth committed to a legally binding framework to limit global warming to well below 2°C, and ideally 1.5°C.

The Agreement rests on the principle of “Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective Capabilities.” In short, all nations must act, but not all in the same way. Wealthier, high-emitting countries are expected to move faster, cutting emissions more aggressively while also providing financial support to help developing countries reduce emissions and adapt to climate impacts.

Communities and companies commit to doing their part

In the wake of the Paris Agreement, and throughout the U.S.’s oscillating participation in it[1], many communities and companies have been asking the same question, “How can we do our part to contribute to global and national emissions reduction targets?”

This is where science-based targets (SBTs) come into play. They offer communities and companies a methodology to create targets that represent their “fair share” of emissions reductions required to align with the Paris Agreement and limit global warming to 1.5oC. The latest science from the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reveals that we must reduce global emissions by 50% by 2030 and achieve climate neutrality by 2050 to avoid exceeding 1.5oC.

In 2025, at least 52 local governments and 1,387 companies in the U.S. have committed to SBTs that align with their “fair share” of national and global emissions reduction targets (Science Based Targets Initiative, 2025). For cities in the U.S., that typically means cutting emissions by over 55% from 2015 levels by 2030 (Science-Based Climate Targets: A Guide For Cities, 2020).

An uphill battle

But as we get closer to 2030, many communities and companies are beginning to realize that their ambitious emissions reduction targets may be out of reach. Emissions in the U.S. are trending down (U.S. EPA, 2024), but not fast enough, and global emissions are still increasing (U.S. EPA, 2025). In light of this reality it is easy to get discouraged.

Between continuing to build car-centric cities, allowing new buildings to be built with natural gas systems, states heavily subsidizing fossil fuel use over affordable and clean electricity, and waning support from the federal level*, even those leading the way with climate action are facing an uphill battle.

“Cheers, tears” —and ACTION!

It can feel overwhelming. After all, just 169 companies are responsible for over 80% of global greenhouse gas emissions (Carbon Majors, 2024). Against that backdrop, local governments and businesses may wonder if their efforts really matter. It is important to create space for grief as global goals slip further from reach, but also to remember that local action contributes to the larger tide of change – and to take time to celebrate each step forward along the way.

Across the country, sustainability professionals are driving change in ways both big and small. Every new ordinance, every retrofit, every policy shift adds up. These actions may not grab global headlines, but they build momentum.

Rather than backing away, many are doubling down. Nearly 4,000 signatories, including 294 cities and counties, 12 tribes, 10 states, and over 2,300 businesses, have joined the We Are Still In declaration, affirming their dedication to the Paris Agreement (We Are Still In, 2025).

Climate targets matter. They give us a yardstick to measure progress and something to strive for. But missing them does not mean the work loses value. The story of local climate action is about more than meeting global goals – it’s about what communities and companies can do to keep moving forward today while building the foundation for a future we still have the power to shape. That means:

  • Cutting emissions where we live and work, proving that progress is possible
  • Investing in solutions that make communities healthier, safer, and more resilient
  • Creating jobs and economic opportunities in the transition to clean energy
  • Advancing equity-focused solutions and empowering local people to act
  • Demonstrating solutions that can be scaled and replicated across other companies and communities
  • Providing hope by showing that change is possible, contagious, and worth pursuing.

Incremental actions create lasting change. Whether it’s improving wastewater treatment, expanding affordable transit, innovating renewable energy, or amplifying corporate advocacy, the day-to-day work of communities and companies is what lays the foundation for long-term transformation.

In the face of setbacks and uncertainty, the message remains clear: change matters, no matter how small it might seem.

[1] The U.S. officially joined the Paris Agreement in 2016 under President Obama, withdrew in November 2020 under President Trump, and rejoined in January 2021 on President Biden’s first day in office. In January 2025, President Trump again initiated the withdrawal of the U.S. from the agreement, a process that is expected to take one year to complete.

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About the Authors – At Brendle Group, Imogen serves as a technical expert in climate mitigation and resilience, composting and waste reduction programs, municipal equity, electric vehicle readiness, and community outreach. In her free time, Imogen is a competitive trail runner, enthusiastic mountain biker, and experimental bread baker.

Christiane is passionate about helping clients integrate sustainability into business practices to drive long-term value and increase resilience. Her repertoire includes life cycle analysis, greenhouse gas accounting, recycling technologies, process flow development, project management, and stakeholder engagement. She is an effective communicator and fluent in English, German and Spanish. In her free time Christiane enjoys the outdoors and works on her fermentation skills.

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Bibliography

Carbon Majors. (2024). The Carbon Majors Database: Launch Report. Retrieved from https://carbonmajors.org/briefing/The-Carbon-Majors-Database-26913

Science Based Targets Initiative. (2025). Target Dashboard. Retrieved from https://sciencebasedtargets.org/target-dashboard

Science-Based Climate Targets: A Guide For Cities. (2020, November). Retrieved from Science Based Targets Network: https://sciencebasedtargetsnetwork.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/SBTs-for-cities-guide.pdf

U.S. EPA. (2024). Climate Change Indicators: U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/climate-indicators/climate-change-indicators-us-greenhouse-gas-emissions

U.S. EPA. (2025). Global Greenhouse Gas Overview. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/global-greenhouse-gas-overview

We Are Still In. (2025). Who’s In. Retrieved from https://www.wearestillin.com/signatories