Today, U.S. Secretary of Energy Ernest Moniz released the following statement regarding the conclusion of the COP21 climate change negotiations:

“This agreement shows that the world is ready to move towards an innovative era of reductions in heat-trapping emissions that will put us on a path to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. President Obama, Secretary Kerry, and the entire U.S. negotiating team showed leadership, not just at these talks in Paris, but for the months and years of groundwork that was necessary to reach this day.

“This agreement puts in place a framework to keep global warming below the most dangerous levels. Innovation-driven lower clean energy costs will underpin increased ambition on climate, while enabling life-changing energy services to the poor and enhanced global energy security.

“That is why the Mission Innovation initiative announced by President Obama and leaders from 19 other countries to double clean energy R&D over five years, along with the parallel private funding effort launched by Bill Gates, will be central parts of the follow-on to Paris.

“During the Obama administration, we have seen huge strides in the deployment of clean energy and the reduction of their costs. Over the last six years, costs have fallen by 40 to 90 percent for technologies like wind energy, solar, batteries, and LED lighting. As costs have fallen, deployment has increased. Wind generation capacity has tripled, solar has increased 20-fold, and LEDs 200-fold over the same time period.

“We need to build on America’s clean energy successes and drive innovation from renewables to carbon capture to nuclear. And every region of America will be part of and benefit from Mission Innovation.”

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