US industry captains quit Trump advisory councils post Paris accord exit decision

Captains of industry, corporations and business groups in the United States have decided to quit from key business advisory councils of the Trump Administration in frustration over the president's decision to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord.

Among those who have announced plans to quit are Tesla founder Elon Musk and Disney chief Robert Iger.

Most of them took to Twitter to express their dismay over the decision.

Musk said, "Am departing presidential councils. Climate change is real. Leaving Paris is not good for America or the world."

Disney chief Robert Iger said he was resigning from the panels "as a matter of principle."

"Disappointed with today's decision on the Paris Agreement. Industry must now lead and not depend on government," Jeff Immelt, CEO, General Electric

The Information Technology Industry Council was equally scathing. "This is clearly disappointing, and a setback for America's leadership in the world. Despite this, the tech industry's determination to innovate and problem-solve for the threats posed by climate change and generate clean energy opportunities that create jobs and grow our economy remains unchanged," ITI President Dean Garfield said in a statement.

Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein called the decision a "setback" for the environment and for US global leadership.

Oil majors ExxonMobil and Chevron reiterated their support for the endangered agreement, while automaker General Motors said the White House's decision would not lessen its resolve to protect the environment.

Chevron said support for the Paris Agreement would continue as it offers a first step towards a global framework on carbon emissions.

The US Chamber of Commerce said had it had not taken a position on the Paris Agreement but favored policies that both promoted energy production and protected the environment.

Matt Sonnesyn, vice president of the Business Roundtable, SAID "Business Roundtable CEOs have long held the view that the consequences of climate change are potentially serious and far-reaching.