Washington: President Jo Biden He is pledging to cut US greenhouse gas emissions by more than 60 percent by 2035 as he struggles to ensure his legacy on reducing global warming, even as President-elect Donald Trump next steps. Months after taking office, Biden has promised to end his climate work.
Biden said the new goal — which supersedes a previous plan to cut carbon emissions by at least half by 2030 — would put the U.S. on track to achieve zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. is The new target, known as the Nationally Determined Contribution. United Nations Under the terms of the 2015 Paris climate accord, Biden said Thursday.
The new target calls for reducing net emissions by 61% to 66% below 2005 levels in 2035.
“I am proud that my administration is pursuing the boldest climate agenda in American history,” Biden said in a videotaped statement.
“We’re doing this by setting ambitious goals” such as deploying 30 gigawatts of offshore wind and conserving at least 30 percent of U.S. lands and waters by 2030, Biden said. He said the cars, trucks and power plants and signing into law are the most important investments in climate and clean energy in American history.
The move by the Democratic president comes a month before he leaves office. Trump has already promised a series of executive actions that would seek to undo much or all of Biden’s climate agenda as the Republican president-elect pushes for worldwide “energy dominance.” Increase.
Trump no longer dismisses climate change as a “hoax” but has promised to end the Democrats’ “Green New Scheme” in favor of increasing production of fossil fuels such as oil, natural gas and coal. which are the main causes of climate change. Trump is expected to withdraw the United States from the Paris climate accord, as he did during his first term, and possibly toward repealing parts of the landmark deflationary law. will increase, particularly subsidies that benefit electric vehicles and offshore wind.
Biden’s aides tried to downplay the impact of Trump’s return. The White Houseinsisting that states and local governments can move forward on clean energy.
“American climate leadership is determined by much more than who sits in the Oval Office,” said John Podesta, Biden’s senior adviser on international climate policy.
Climate leadership “takes place on the ground in our cities and states, from Phoenix to Pittsburgh, from Boise to Baltimore,” Podesta told reporters Wednesday. The world that we are still in this battle for a better future.”
Trump spokeswoman Carolyn Levitt said that in his first term, Trump “created affordable, reliable energy for consumers and stable, high-paying jobs for small businesses — all while reducing U.S. carbon emissions by 25 years.” With their lows, President Trump will once again provide clean air and water for American families while making America rich again.
While global carbon emissions declined in 2020, this was largely due to the economic shutdown caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Air travel and other activities almost came to a standstill.
gave American Climate Alliancea bipartisan coalition of governors who support climate action, pledged to work toward the new goal with or without White House support.
New York Gov. Cathy Hochol, co-chair of the coalition, said climate-conscious governors will “carry the torch” after Biden leaves office. Hoechl, a Democrat, said the governor will use the new America’s Goal to “keep America on track. Toward a cleaner, safer future.”
New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham said, “Together we’re protecting public health, protecting the environment, growing the economy and all of America by ending climate pollution.” I’m creating good jobs.”
In his remarks, Biden called the new goal “ambitious” and said it would create thousands of good-paying jobs, more affordable energy, cleaner air, cleaner water and a healthier environment for all Americans.
“It’s also creating real momentum as we advance American ingenuity and innovation. And together, we turn this existential threat into a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to transform our nation for decades to come,” Biden said. I will change.” “I know we can do it.”
The proposal would require permanent changes throughout the economy, from power generation to transportation, buildings, agriculture and industry, including significant increases in renewable energy such as wind and solar power and emissions from fossil fuels such as oil and coal. Great reduction.
Biden said the U.S. pledge includes at least a 35 percent reduction in methane from 2005 levels by 2035. Reducing methane emissions is one of the fastest ways to reduce near-term temperatures and is critical to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Debbie Weil, US acting director World Resources InstituteA global research organization said the new emissions target was “at the lower end of what the science calls for” but said it was “closer to the upper limit of realism if almost every available policy lever is pulled”. The decade
“Achieving this goal will require strong action by states and cities,” he said, adding that the United States needs to rapidly expand renewable energy and electric vehicles, modernize the electric grid and Heavy industry needs to decarbonise.
The non-binding but symbolically important pledge is a key part of the Paris Agreement, which requires countries to submit so-called Nationally Determined Contributions every five years. A country’s NDC, or climate target, outlines how it plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to limit the rise in temperatures above pre-industrial levels to 1.5 degrees Celsius. can meet the global goal of limiting
The Paris Agreement requires that NDCs be updated every five years with increasingly higher ambitions, taking into account each country’s 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 said, “As the world’s largest oil producer, largest producer and exporter of fossil gas – and the largest historical climate polluter – the United States is a major The responsibility is to move forward in the climate fight, regardless of the political climate,” said Manish Bapna, president and CEO of the Natural Resources Defense Council, a leading environmental group.
He called the new climate goal a clear signal to governors, mayors and CEOs to “step up” climate action and defend climate progress.
“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,” Bapna said.