Biden Administration Sets Ambitious Climate Goal, Defying Potential Trump Rollbacks

The Biden administration has unveiled a sweeping new climate pledge, committing the United States to slashing planet-warming pollution by at least 61% by 2035 compared to 2005 levels, CNN reports.

This ambitious target, submitted as the US’s updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement, comes despite the looming threat of a potential Trump presidency and the likely dismantling of key climate policies.

The administration’s strategy is a calculated gamble, betting that states, cities, and the private sector will continue to drive climate action even without robust federal support. President Biden, in a White House video address, emphasized the potential for industry innovation and investment spurred by this ambitious goal.

Senior officials expressed confidence in achieving this target. John Podesta, Biden’s senior international climate advisor, described the goal as “ambitious but achievable,” highlighting the country’s capacity for unified action on climate change. He acknowledged the potential for a Trump administration to slow progress, but stressed continued commitment from various stakeholders.

The pledge represents a significant increase from the previous commitment to reduce emissions by 50-52% by 2030, a target the US is already struggling to meet. The new reliance on private sector and subnational government action puts the success of the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act to the test. This landmark legislation, providing hundreds of billions of dollars in clean energy incentives, has already driven significant investments across the country, notably in Republican-held congressional districts, bolstering its political viability.

White House National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi framed the strategy as a paradigm shift, highlighting the economic opportunities presented by climate action and refuting the notion of climate action as solely negative. However, the shadow of a potential Trump presidency looms large. His plans to reverse climate regulations and expand domestic oil and gas production pose a direct challenge to the administration’s efforts. Sources close to the deliberations revealed that before the recent election, the administration had considered an even more ambitious, narrower range of targets, potentially with sector-specific goals for power and the automotive industry.

Independent analyses support the possibility of substantial emission reductions even without robust federal action. The University of Maryland’s Center for Global Sustainability projects emissions reductions of 54-62% by 2035, even under a scenario of federal inaction and policy rollbacks.

The US pledge, which includes a commitment to reduce methane emissions by at least 35% by 2035, aligns with last year’s Dubai agreement requiring economy-wide pledges encompassing all greenhouse gases. The international community is now putting pressure on China, the world’s largest emitter, to set specific methane reduction targets.

While some environmental groups criticized the pledge as insufficient given the US’s historical emissions, many praised the administration’s commitment, believing it sends a powerful signal to state and local governments and corporations emphasizing the continued importance of strong climate action.