Oil, tech giants tell Trump to stay in Paris deal

Oil giants BP and Shell and a group of utilities and tech companies are pushing President Trump to stay in the Paris climate deal.

In a letter sent to Trump on Wednesday, the firms said the deal benefits U.S. companies by putting them on an even playing field with foreign competitors, creates jobs through clean energy work and minimizes the risks climate change poses to them. 

“We believe that as other countries invest in advanced technologies and move forward with the Paris agreement, the United States can best exercise global leadership and advance U.S. interests by remaining a full partner in this vital global effort,” the companies wrote.

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Companies signing the letter included foreign firms like BP and Shell, gas and electricity provider National Grid, California utility PG&E, tech giants like Google and Microsoft, Wal-Mart, General Mills and others. 

The letter comes as the White House mulls continued involvement in the Paris climate deal, an international agreement reached during the Obama administration to cut global greenhouse gas emissions. 

Most companies that have taken a position on the deal have urged the U.S. to stay in it, though some coal companies are pushing Trump to leave the pact.

Wednesday’s letter, organized by the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions, presents a similar message other companies have delivered to the White House: The Paris deal gives the U.S. the chance to influence international climate work and energy markets. The firms say that leverage protects companies, which will already be looking for opportunities to take advantage of a global economy focused on tackling climate change.  

“Climate change presents U.S. companies with both business risks and business opportunities,” they wrote. “U.S. business interests are best served by a stable and practical framework facilitating an effective and balanced global response. We believe the Paris Agreement provides such a framework.”