President Joe Biden announced new climate targets to curb greenhouse gas emissions by more than 60% by 2035, just weeks before the incoming Trump administration takes office aiming to reverse many of Biden’s climate policies.
The White House on Thursday announced that the U.S. will seek, as part of its commitments under the Paris climate agreement, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 61%-66% in 2035 from 2005 levels. The incoming Trump administration is expected to withdraw from the agreement.
“Together, we will turn this existential threat into a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform our nation for generations to come. I know we can do this. We are the United States of America there is nothing beyond our capacity if we work together,” Biden said in a White House video.
Under the Paris agreement, countries are required to develop new nationally determined contribution, or NDC, targets to meet the agreement’s goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. The new targets build upon the Biden administration’s 2021 goal of reducing U.S. greenhouse gas emissions 50%-52% by 2030. The administration will submit the climate targets as the new NDC to the United Nations.
“We are confident that working together, the United States can achieve this goal, and this progress that we continue to see here across the country, is positioning America to lead and continue to push the ambition all around the world with that appropriately,” White House National Climate adviser Ali Zaidi told reporters.
The Biden administration implemented major rules and regulations to curb greenhouse gas emissions, including new controls on power plant emissions, tighter standards for auto emissions, and administrative efforts to limit drilling. The administration has also promoted the domestic renewable energy industry and electric vehicles through tax credits authorized by the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act.
But President-elect Donald Trump has vowed to undo many of Biden’s climate policies and regulations to instead promote U.S. oil production. Also, the U.S. participation in the Paris agreement may be short-lived under Trump’s leadership. He withdrew the U.S. from the agreement in his first term and has indicated he will do so again in his second.
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John Podesta, senior adviser to the president for international climate policy, told reporters that although the Biden administration will be leaving office, they are confident the U.S. can rally around the new climate target.
“While the United States federal government under President Trump may put climate action on the back burner, the work to contain climate change is going to continue in the United States with commitment and passion and belief. That’s not wishful thinking,” Podesta said.