In brief
President Biden announced a goal to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 61% by 2035, though it may not be recognized by President-elect Trump.
In a bold move before leaving office, President Joe Biden has set an ambitious climate goal for the United States, proposing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 61% from 2005 levels by 2035. This objective is significant, yet largely expected to be ignored by President-elect Donald Trump, who has previously referred to climate change as a “scam.” Biden's administration hopes this announcement will motivate state and local governments to continue their efforts to reduce emissions, even as federal initiatives may stall.Speaking from the White House, Biden touted his administration's climate policies over the past four years, which he claimed represent the "boldest climate agenda in American history." He expressed confidence that efforts to combat climate change would continue, underscoring the resilience and ingenuity of American industries and government entities in addressing this global concern.The new target extends and builds upon commitments the U.S. made in 2021, which aimed for a 50% reduction in emissions by 2030. Experts stress the urgency of cutting emissions globally, stating that a reduction of approximately half this decade is critical to keeping temperature increases manageable. However, current trends indicate that the U.S. is falling short of meeting even this initial benchmark.While the precise future of the U.S. climate commitments remains uncertain with Trump on the horizon, Biden’s announcement may serve as a rallying cry for various levels of government and private entities to prioritize environmental reforms in the face of potential federal disinterest.
