One month before the end of his mandate, American President Joe Biden has raised the climate targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions for the United States, with a move that risks being canceled by his successor Donald Trump.
The country, the world’s second largest polluter after China, now plans to reduce its emissions from 61 to 66% by 2035 compared to 2005, according to the plan that will have to be presented to the United Nations in the framework of the Paris Agreement signed in 2015. Until now the United States had committed to halving its emissions by 2030.
This new roadmap constitutes “the boldest climate program in US history,” Biden explained. “We will turn this existential threat (of global warming) into a unique opportunity to transform our country for generations to come,” he declared.
To achieve this goal, the Biden administration is counting in particular on the fruits of its own massive investments in renewable energy but also on the contribution of the private sector.
Washington had until February to present this plan, called ‘nationally determined contribution’, to the UN. Each state freely sets its own objectives but is required to review them upwards every five years.
The return of Donald Trump at the White House on January 20th should upset these plans, given that the Republican has not hidden his positions on the matter, between declared support for fossil fuels and the possibility of disengagement from the Paris Agreement, from which the United States had already withdrawn during his first term. His spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt reacted by praising past Republican policies that she said have “advanced environmental conservation and management while promoting economic growth.” His second term will make it possible to clean up the air and water, he said in a statement sent to AFP, without mentioning the president-elect’s desire to abandon these commitments.
Faced with the risk that Donald Trump ignores this road map, Joe Biden’s climate envoy, John Podesta, he assured in an exchange with journalists that he has confidence in the ability of the private sector and local authorities to “move things forward“. “This isn’t wishful thinking, it’s happened before.”he insisted, recalling the measures implemented by Democratic states and cities during Donald Trump’s first term. However, he acknowledged, the federal policies decided by the Republican could “ssuspend climate action”.
Environmental groups have welcomed the new goals, which include at least a 35% reduction in emissions of methane, a potent greenhouse gas. “This constitutes an important element of mobilization and a reference for states, cities and businesses”, said Rachel Cleetus, of ONG americana Union of Concerned Scientists. “While the Trump administration won’t lift a finger to implement this plan, it sets a benchmark for what the United States should aim for.” afferma Debbie Weyl del World Resources Institute.
During his mandate, Joe Biden has carried out very ambitious projects, including massive investments in renewable energy. But the United States, which remains the world’s largest oil and gas producer, is lagging behind. According to research center Rhodium Group, the country reduced emissions by only 18% in 2023 and is expected to reach only -38% – -56% in 2035.
The Paris Agreement, adopted by 195 countries, aims to keep global average temperatures from rising.”well below 2°C” compared to pre-industrial levels and to continue efforts to limit it to 1.5°C. The world has already warmed by 1.3°C on average.
Other major countries have not yet revealed their next climate goals. Under political and budgetary pressure, the European Union, the fourth largest emitter after China, the United States and India, is discussing -90% by 2040 (compared to 1990), but is expected to miss the February deadline, according to Outlook analyst Neil Makaroff of Strategic Think Tank.
