President Biden, in the final days of his administration, has set a new climate goal for slashing U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. This move comes at a time when his successor, President-elect Donald Trump, has signaled that he is not interested in global climate negotiations. The U.S. formally submitted its new goal to the United Nations, calling for a 61% to 66% reduction in net greenhouse gas emissions by 2035 compared to 2005 levels, with an overarching goal of achieving net zero emissions by no later than 2050.
This new goal is part of the Paris Agreement, which requires member nations to update their emission cut targets, known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), every five years. The Paris accord, signed in 2016 by nearly 200 nations, aims to limit global warming to no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
The White House described this new climate commitment as an ambitious capstone to President Biden’s climate legacy, emphasizing that it will help grow a new clean energy economy focused on investment, innovation, and job creation. Debbie Weyl, U.S. acting director for the nonprofit environmental group the World Resource Institute, stated that the United States’ new climate commitment offers a clear path forward for states, cities, businesses, and other leaders dedicated to ramping up action over the next four years. She also noted that despite the Trump administration’s lack of interest in delivering on this plan, it sets a north star for what the U.S. should be aiming for and could guide the federal government’s priorities once Trump leaves office in 2029.
In 2017, then-President Trump announced the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, a process that was completed nearly at the end of his first term. However, President Biden fulfilled a campaign promise by rejoining the Paris Agreement on the first day of his administration in early 2021. Trump has been known for championing the fossil fuel industry, questioning the science of climate change, and weakening environmental protections. This year, his campaign indicated that he would pull the U.S. out of the Paris Agreement for a second time.
Last month in Azerbaijan, at the annual United Nations climate summit known as COP29, participants adopted a $300 billion annual deal to help developing countries transition away from coal, oil, and gas. This funding is intended to assist these nations in adapting to future warming, paying for the damage caused by climate change’s extreme weather events.
The global effort to combat climate change has been a contentious issue, with different administrations taking contrasting approaches to the matter. While President Biden has been proactive in setting new emission reduction targets and recommitting the U.S. to international climate agreements, President Trump’s administration has been skeptical of climate science and has prioritized the interests of the fossil fuel industry.
The shift in climate policy from one administration to the next reflects broader divisions within the country on how to address the climate crisis. While some see aggressive emission reduction targets as necessary to avoid the worst impacts of climate change, others argue that such measures could harm the economy and lead to job losses in certain industries.
The Biden administration’s new climate commitment represents a significant step towards addressing the climate crisis and transitioning to a more sustainable energy future. By setting ambitious emission reduction targets and reengaging with international climate agreements, the U.S. is signaling its commitment to leading on climate action.
As the world grapples with the impacts of climate change, global cooperation and ambitious commitments are essential to mitigate the worst effects of a warming planet. The U.S. has a crucial role to play in this effort, and President Biden’s new climate goal is a positive sign that the country is ready to take on this challenge.
