Biden Administration Passes Torch to Local Leaders for Continued Climate Action

The Biden Administration’s Ambitious Plan to Slash US Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Introduction

In a bold move, the Biden administration has set ambitious new goals to reduce US greenhouse gas emissions under the Paris climate accord. The plan, unveiled before President-elect Donald Trump takes office, sets a target of cutting net emissions by 61-66 percent in 2035 compared to a 2005 baseline. Additionally, the administration aims to cut methane emissions by at least 35 percent by the same date.

A Symbolic Effort or a Call to Action?

The new plan is largely symbolic, as Trump has called climate change a "hoax" and vowed to pull the US out of the Paris agreement. However, the Biden administration’s effort is designed to encourage a grassroots movement in defiance of Trump’s national agenda. As White House national climate adviser Ali Zaidi noted, "Across the country, we see decarbonization efforts to reduce our emissions in many ways achieving escape velocity, an inexorable path, a place from which we will not turn back."

The Growing Importance of Clean Energy

The cost of new solar and onshore wind farms has decreased significantly, making them cheaper sources of electricity than coal or gas. In fact, around 95 percent of new sources of electricity queued up to connect to US power grids are carbon-free – mostly solar and wind energy and batteries. The Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law have also authorized hundreds of billions of dollars in funding for clean energy.

Current Progress and Challenges

Current policies put the US on track to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by around 40 percent by the end of the decade compared to 2005. This is a significant drop in pollution, but still shy of the initial goal Biden set upon stepping into office. Shortly after Biden’s inauguration in 2021, the US rejoined the Paris agreement and set a target of reducing emissions by 50-52 percent by 2030.

The Global Implications

The Paris agreement aims to keep global average temperatures from rising 1.5 degrees Celsius above what they were before the Industrial Revolution. However, with the US being the second-biggest climate polluter after China, keeping this goal alive is increasingly dubious. The planet has already warmed by around 1.2 degrees since humans started pumping out massive amounts of greenhouse gas emissions by burning fossil fuels.

The Need for Continued Action

Despite Trump’s plans to dismantle environmental policies and increase oil and gas drilling, state and local governments have continued to craft their own climate plans. Local leaders created a coalition called We Are Still In after Trump moved to take the US out of the Paris agreement. Thanks in large part to their work, the US still surpassed the Obama administration’s climate goal of cutting emissions 17 percent by 2020.

A University of Maryland Analysis

A recent analysis from the University of Maryland found that local action can reduce US greenhouse gas pollution by 48-60 percent by 2035 even without federal support. This highlights the importance of continued action at the state and local level to meet global climate goals.

Conclusion

The Biden administration’s plan to slash US greenhouse gas emissions is a bold effort to keep the country on track to meet global climate goals. While it may be symbolic, given Trump’s plans to pull out of the Paris agreement, it serves as a call to action for state and local governments to continue their efforts in reducing emissions. With the planet already warmed by around 1.2 degrees, there is still much work to be done to mitigate the effects of climate change.

Additional Statistics

• The US is responsible for around 14 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions.
• China is the largest emitter of greenhouse gases, followed closely by the US.
• The Paris agreement aims to limit global warming to well below 2°C and pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.

References

The Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law have provided significant funding for clean energy initiatives. These efforts are crucial in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating the effects of climate change.