Biden Pledges Huge Climate Emissions Cuts He Can’t Enforce. Here’s Why It Still Matters

States and cities can still pursue climate goals despite federal rollbacks. This target could inform federal policy after 2028.
December 19, 2024

Summary

President Biden has announced an ambitious climate target to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by 61-66% by 2035, despite the expectation that President-elect Trump will disregard it. This new goal, while more challenging than previous commitments, serves as a guiding principle for states, cities, and businesses in climate action, even if federal support may wane.

Highlights -🌍

  • New Commitment: Biden aims for a 61-66% emissions cut by 2035. 🌱
  • Paris Agreement: The target aligns with international climate commitments. 🌐
  • State Action: States and cities can still pursue climate goals despite federal rollbacks. 🏙️
  • Methane Focus: At least a 35% reduction in methane emissions is part of the plan. 💨
  • Industry Investment: Continued private sector investment in clean energy is crucial. 💰
  • Future Guidance: This target could inform federal policy after 2028. 📅
  • Challenging Path: Achieving these goals will be difficult, especially without aggressive federal action. ⚠️

CLIMATEWIRE | President Joe Biden announced Thursday that he will strengthen the United States’ climate target by aiming to cut planet-warming pollution 61-66 percent by 2035, in a move that his successor is certain to disregard.

The new goal marks an increase over Biden’s 2021 pledge to slash greenhouse gases 50-52 percent by 2030 over 2005 levels, but is a downgrade from what modelers say would have been possible under a future president who acts aggressively to slow rising temperatures.

President-elect Donald Trump has indicated the opposite.

Read the full post at Scientific American.

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