WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden has announced an ambitious new target to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by more than 60% by the year 2035. This commitment is part of his broader effort to establish a significant legacy in combating global warming, even as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to enter office and reverse many initiatives linked to Biden’s climate strategy.
The updated objective replaces an earlier plan aimed at halving carbon emissions by 2030 and sets the U.S. on a path toward achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Biden emphasized that the new target will be formally submitted to the United Nations as part of the 2015 Paris climate agreement. In this latest goal, net emissions are expected to decrease by 61% to 66% when compared to 2005 levels by 2035.
“I’m proud that my administration is implementing the most aggressive climate agenda in American history,” Biden stated in a video announcement. He highlighted ambitious initiatives like the deployment of 30 gigawatts of offshore wind energy and the preservation of at least 30% of the nation’s lands and waters by 2030 as essential to achieving these objectives. Additionally, his administration has introduced stricter pollution standards for cars, trucks, and power plants while making unprecedented investments in clean energy and climate initiatives.
This commitment from Biden comes shortly before he concludes his presidential term. Trump has pledged to utilize executive actions that would likely repeal much of Biden’s climate agenda, promoting what he refers to as “energy dominance” worldwide. Although Trump has moderated his previous denial of climate change, he intends to dismantle what he describes as the Democratic Party’s “green new scam” in favor of enhancing fossil fuel production, the primary drivers of climate change.
Trump is expected to withdraw the nation’s participation in the Paris climate accord, similar to actions taken during his first administration, and aims to overturn provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act, particularly those benefitting electric vehicles and offshore wind energy.
In response to the potential shift, Biden’s advisers have attempted to minimize the implications of Trump’s transition to the presidency. They underline that local and state governments can persist in leading the charge for clean energy. “American climate leadership depends on far more than who occupies the Oval Office,” asserted John Podesta, a senior advisor on international climate policy. He believes that leaders across the U.S. can continue to drive climate initiatives regardless of federal policies.
Trump’s spokesperson Karoline Leavitt pointed to his previous tenure, stating that he generated affordable energy options alongside well-paying jobs while simultaneously decreasing U.S. carbon emissions to their lowest levels in a quarter-century. She confidently expressed that Trump will prioritize clean air and water for American families in his subsequent term.
While a notable reduction in global carbon emissions occurred in 2020, it primarily stemmed from the economic downturn caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to drastically reduced air travel and overall activity. Yet, the U.S. Climate Alliance, a bipartisan group of governors who advocate for climate action, has voiced a commitment to pursue the new emissions target, with or without federal support.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul, co-chair of the alliance, emphasized that environmentally conscious governors plan to sustain progress on climate initiatives beyond Biden’s administration. She stated they would utilize the U.S. goal as a guiding principle for maintaining a cleaner future. New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that collective efforts will result in safeguarding public health, fostering economic growth, and creating robust employment opportunities across the nation.
Biden referred to the new emissions target as “ambitious,” believing it would lead to high-paying job creation, affordable energy, and a cleaner environment. He remarked that the initiative reflects American innovation and imagination, viewing the climate crisis as an opportunity for transformational progress in the coming decades.
Achieving this proposal entails extensive changes throughout various sectors, including energy production, transportation, and industrial practices. A significant increase in renewable energy, particularly wind and solar, combined with sharp reductions in emissions from fossil fuel sources, will be necessary.
Biden indicated that the plan also aims for a reduction of methane emissions by at least 35% from 2005 levels by 2035, as targeting these emissions is crucial for addressing near-term warming effects. Debbie Weyl from the World Resources Institute commented that while the new target may be at the lower end of scientific recommendations, it remains a feasible goal if proper policy measures are implemented within the decade.
This nonbinding yet symbolically significant commitment is a fundamental aspect of the Paris climate agreement, which mandates countries to submit updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) every five years to outline their strategies for reducing greenhouse emissions. The next submission deadline is set for February 2025, with several nations already having proposed their NDCs.
“As the world’s top oil producer and the largest historical climate polluter, the U.S. carries a considerable obligation to advance in the climate battle regardless of political changes,” remarked Manish Bapna, CEO of the Natural Resources Defense Council. He encouraged governors, mayors, and corporate leaders who support climate initiatives to continue their efforts, asserting that public demand for climate action remains strong despite potential setbacks from the incoming administration. “While there may be attempts to retreat, the momentum toward clean energy is irrevocable,” Bapna concluded.
