President Joe Biden has announced an ambitious target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. by over 60% by 2035 as part of his administration’s efforts to address climate change and solidify his environmental legacy. This newly defined goal replaces a previous aim of cutting emissions by at least 50% by 2030, keeping the United States on pace to reach net-zero emissions across the economy by 2050. Biden confirmed that this target, referred to as a Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), will be formally submitted to the United Nations in accordance with the guidelines of the 2015 Paris climate agreement.
The new emission reduction goal seeks to achieve a decrease of between 61% to 66% compared to 2005 levels by the year 2035. “I’m proud that my administration is carrying out the boldest climate agenda in American history,” Biden declared in a video statement. He elaborated that this ambitious agenda involves not only significant emission cuts but also initiatives like installing 30 gigawatts of offshore wind power and safeguarding at least 30% of the nation’s lands and waters by 2030. His administration has also enacted stringent new standards designed to reduce air pollution from vehicles and power plants while investing in climate initiatives like never before in U.S. history.
With just about a month left in his term, Biden’s action comes amid looming uncertainty as President-elect Donald Trump has indicated plans to reverse many of Biden’s climate policies upon his inauguration. Trump has plans to implement a series of executive orders aimed at dismantling these initiatives, focusing instead on an “energy dominance” strategy emphasizing fossil fuel production, which has been criticized as one of the main drivers of climate change. Trump has altered his stance on climate change, having moved away from previously dismissing it as a “hoax,” yet maintains a commitment to retracting what he refers to as the “green new scam,” which includes cutting subsidies for electric vehicles and renewable energy projects.
Biden’s advisors have attempted to ease concerns regarding the impact of Trump’s presidency on clean energy efforts, asserting that states and communities will still play a pivotal role in advancing climate objectives. John Podesta, a senior adviser to Biden on climate issues, remarked, “American climate leadership is determined by so much more than whoever sits in the Oval Office.” He emphasized that leadership in climate initiatives is rooted in local actions throughout the country, urging that cities and states can continue their fight for a sustainable future despite potential setbacks at the federal level.
According to Biden, the new emissions target is not only “ambitious” but expected to create numerous well-paying jobs while also delivering cleaner air, water, and enhanced quality of life for all citizens. He expressed confidence that this plan would stimulate innovation and ingenuity in tackling climate challenges, stating, “We will transform our nation for decades to come.” To meet these goals, sweeping changes across various sectors—including energy production, transportation, agriculture, and industry—will be necessary, particularly a significant shift toward renewable energy sources and drastic emissions reductions from fossil fuels.
Additionally, Biden revealed that the current commitment includes a plan to cut methane emissions by at least 35% from 2005 levels by 2035. This reduction is critical as it represents one of the most effective methods for addressing immediate warming impacts. The non-binding yet symbolically significant pledge is integral to the Paris Agreement, which requires countries to produce these NDCs every five years. These climate targets outline strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions to help achieve the global aim of limiting temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
As countries work towards their own NDCs, the next update will be due by February 2025, with others like Brazil, the United Kingdom, and the United Arab Emirates having already submitted their proposed contributions. Biden’s commitments position the U.S. to play a leading role in global climate action despite the ever-changing political landscape.