With President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration a little more than a month away, environmental groups on Thursday welcomed President Joe Biden’s new climate change goals, promising that fossil fuel emissions for plant heating will significantly increase in the coming years. He gave a frank assessment of the potential for reductions.
Supporters say that under the Trump administration, it will be difficult for states and local governments to meet the goals set by Biden, as expected by the incoming Republican president, who has dismissed the climate crisis as a “fraud” and a “hoax.” He said there would be extensive action by local governments. The plan is to eliminate key federal regulations that would increase emissions.
Mr. Biden’s announcement on Thursday related to the country’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), which are mandated by the 2015 Paris Climate Accord, and which, as they did during President Trump’s first term, will require the U.S. to make contributions from the United States after taking office. He says he will leave. Biden said the administration’s new climate goal is to cut emissions by 61% to 66% from 2005 levels by 2035.
The administration expects to reduce methane by at least 35% from 2005 levels by 2035, because methane is 28 times more capable of trapping heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide. This is a key element in achieving NDC.
The goal is a significant increase from the goal Biden set in 2021, when he pledged to cut greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50% below 2005 levels by 2030.
But Oil Change International said the targets set on Thursday underlined the Biden administration’s overall approach to reducing emissions, as stated by US campaign manager Colin Rees. “A failed strategy of relying on clean energy to replace fossil fuels without concurrent efforts to discourage fossil fuels,” he said.
In a video address, Biden said his efforts to invest billions of dollars in renewable energy technology and regulate fossil fuel emissions from some power plants amount to “the boldest climate action in American history.” Then he said.
But by approving fossil fuel infrastructure like ConocoPhillips’ Willow project, Biden has said that continued oil and gas extraction is not on the path to limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. That angered groups that have been demanding that the U.S. act on the home’s warnings. .
“Under the Biden administration, America will become the world’s planetary destroyer, planning the largest oil and gas expansion of any country over the next decade, even as clean energy proliferates.” said Reese. “As the largest polluter in history and currently the second largest emitter, the United States has a unique responsibility to lead the fight against climate change. , have failed to make the bold commitments needed to support vulnerable Global South countries that are bearing the brunt of a crisis they did not cause. ”
Oil Change International applauded the president’s recognition that fossil fuels must be phased out, but stressed that the NDC “is not going to address it.”
In a study this week, the Rhodium Group estimated that Biden’s current climate policies could reduce emissions by 38% to 56% below 2005 levels by 2035.
Emissions last year were cut about 17% from 2005 levels, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, but significant reductions are not expected this year as rising demand for electricity offsets advances in renewable energy. He says there is no.
But if President Trump rolls back most of Biden’s policies, including the methane regulations announced earlier this year and the clean energy subsidies and tax breaks included in the Anti-Inflation Act, the U.S. It is possible that emissions could only be reduced by 24-40% by then. .
“As the largest polluter in history and the second-largest emitter today, the United States has a unique responsibility to lead the fight against climate change.”
Jean Hsu, director of energy justice at the Center for Biological Diversity, said the new reduction rate targets in the new NDC were “good to see.”
“But it’s up to state and other national leaders to defy Trump and quickly move us away from global warming fossil fuels,” Hsu said. “Biden’s pledge rightly reiterates the need to move away from dirty energy, but the real job is eradicating the corrupt political influence of oil, gas and utilities. Climate change deniers and corporate fraudsters enter the White House. Now, leaders at all levels are coming to the White House to hold polluters accountable for the economic and environmental havoc they are causing around the world. , you will have to work twice as hard.”
The American Climate Alliance, a bipartisan coalition of 24 governors whose states account for 57% of the U.S. economy and 54% of the population, pledged Thursday to work together to achieve the NDC announced by Biden.
The coalition, whose governors represent states such as California, New York, Pennsylvania and Minnesota, has already committed to reducing overall net greenhouse gas emissions by 19% between 2005 and 2022, while simultaneously reducing overall GDP by 30%. %, and we are making good progress.” We aim to meet short-term climate goals by reducing total greenhouse gas emissions by 26% below 2005 levels by 2025. ”
The coalition says, “The Union’s states and territories collectively employ more workers in the clean energy sector, achieve lower levels of dangerous air pollutants, and are more climate-friendly than other parts of the country.” “We are more effectively preparing for the impacts of
New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, co-chair of the U.S. Climate Alliance, said the NDC “will serve as our North Star, guiding us through the years ahead and keeping America on track for a cleaner, safer future.” Probably.”
Rachel Cleetus, policy director and chief economist for the Union of Concerned Scientists’ Climate and Energy Program, said that while Biden’s new NDC falls short of “what the science calls for,” it does “promote more climate action.” It will also serve as an important standard for By cities, states, tribal nations, and businesses in the coming years. ”
“The enhancements to the U.S. NDC announced today by the Biden Administration underscore that it is in the best interest of the United States and the world to work together to collectively address climate change,” Cleetus said. “Significantly reducing fossil fuel pollution and building a prosperous economy powered by clean energy is good for the prosperity of nations, people’s health and household finances. It’s reassuring that we’re calling for action to deal with the strong methane emissions throughout the economy.”
But Cleetus warned that “world leaders and Policymakers have a lot of work left to do.”
“Today marks one of many important milestones on the path to keeping the goals of the Paris Agreement within reach for the betterment of current and future generations,” she said.
Reese urged Biden to solidify his climate legacy and reduce U.S. emissions, including denying pending liquefied natural gas exports, closing the Dakota Access Pipeline, and ending financing for international fossil fuel projects. It called for other concrete measures to be taken to reduce the amount.
“With a Trump presidency looming, Biden is wasting his last chance to solidify an ambitious pledge to halt large increases in oil and gas production, a pledge that will guide future federal action.” “This could spur immediate state and local efforts,” Reese said. “For the Biden administration and our planet, the clock is ticking.”
