In a bold move to combat global warming, President Joe Biden has committed to reducing U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by over 60% by 2035.
This ambitious target surpasses the previous goal of halving carbon emissions by 2030, aligning with the broader aim of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions across the economy by 2050.
According to The New York Post, the U.S. has formally submitted this new target, known as a Nationally Determined Contribution, to the United Nations under the terms of the 2015 Paris climate agreement. This revised goal stipulates a reduction of net emissions by 61% to 66% below 2005 levels by 2035.
In a videotaped statement, President Biden expressed pride in his administration's efforts, stating, Im proud that my administration is carrying out the boldest climate agenda in American history. The administration's strategy includes ambitious goals such as deploying 30 gigawatts of offshore wind and conserving at least 30% of U.S. lands and waters by 2030.
The Biden administration has also implemented stringent new standards to reduce air pollution from vehicles and power plants. Furthermore, it has enacted the most significant investments in climate and clean energy in U.S. history. This decisive action by the Democratic president comes just over a month before he is set to leave office.
However, President-elect Donald Trump has already pledged to counteract much of Biden's climate work. Trump, who no longer dismisses climate change as a hoax, has promised to dismantle what he refers to as Democrats green new scam in favor of boosting fossil fuel production. He is expected to withdraw the United States from the Paris climate accord, as he did during his first term, and likely move to repeal parts of the landmark Inflation Reduction Act, particularly subsidies that benefit electric vehicles and offshore wind.
Despite the impending change in administration, Biden's aides remain optimistic. They insist that states and local governments can continue to lead on clean energy. John Podesta, Bidens senior adviser for international climate policy, stated, American climate leadership is determined by so much more than whoever sits in the Oval Office. He believes that with the new 2035 target as their guiding principle, leaders across America can demonstrate to the world that the U.S. remains committed to the fight for a better future.
The U.S. Climate Alliance, a bipartisan coalition of governors supporting climate action, has applauded the new target and pledged to work towards it, irrespective of the stance of the White House. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, the alliances co-chair, assured that climate-conscious governors will carry the torch forward after Biden leaves office.
In his remarks, President Biden described the new goal as ambitious and predicted it would lead to thousands of well-paying jobs, more affordable energy, cleaner air and water, and a healthier environment for all Americans. He said, It is also creating real momentum because were unleashing American ingenuity and innovation. And together, we will turn this existential threat into a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform our nation.
The proposal necessitates significant changes across various sectors, including power generation, transportation, buildings, agriculture, and industry. It calls for substantial increases in renewable energy such as wind and solar power and steep cuts in emissions from fossil fuels such as oil and coal.
The U.S. pledge also includes reducing methane emissions by at least 35% from 2005 levels by 2035. Debbie Weyl, U.S. acting director of the World Resources Institute, a global research organization, acknowledged that the new emissions target is at the lower bound of what the science demands, but said it was close to the upper bound of what is realistic if nearly every available policy lever were pulled in the next decade.
The Paris Agreement requires that Nationally Determined Contributions are updated every five years with increasingly higher ambition, taking into consideration each countrys capacity. The next deadline is February 2025, although Brazil, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates have already submitted their proposed NDCs.
Manish Bapna, President and CEO of the Natural Resources Defense Council, a leading environmental group, emphasized the U.S.'s responsibility in the climate fight due to its status as the worlds largest producer of oil and fossil gas. He urged governors, mayors, and CEOs who support climate action to step up and defend climate progress, stating, While the incoming administration has vowed to turn its back on the world again the majority of Americans want climate action, and the clean energy boom is unstoppable.
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