Senator Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and chair of the Climate Change Task Force, introduced the Targeting Environmental and Climate Recklessness Act, legislation to restrict access to the U.S. financial system for those individuals and companies most responsible for exacerbating climate change. 

Because the United States already restricts financial access for foreign individuals and companies involved in unacceptable behavior including cybercrime, corruption, and wildlife trafficking, the same foreign policy tool should be one part of our comprehensive efforts to reduce the existential risk posed by climate change. Senator Markey’s legislation would provide discretionary authority to target specific foreign individuals and companies involved in, or providing financial support to, the most destructive of climate actions...

...“Climate change has disproportionate impact on the most vulnerable communities around the world, and targeted measures to deter recklessness climate pollution would help ensure that urgent efforts to mitigate climate risk do not worsen global inequality. This legislation would bring us closer to a complete U.S. global strategy that matches the magnitude of the climate crisis.”...

 “The United States is the world's largest climate offender, and as Senator Markey has recognized, our first priority needs to be addressing our own emissions and providing a just transition to a low-carbon economy,” said Katie Redford, Director, EarthRights International.