Climate experts say a new emissions reduction target announced by US President Joe Biden’s administration falls short of cuts that would be needed to prevent a temperature rise exceeding a global average of 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 Fahrenheit), but that it is “close to the upper bound of realistic”.
Government climate advisors on Thursday, December 19, 2024, announced commitments to reduce emissions between 61 and 66% by 2035, compared with 2005 levels. The target has been met with scepticism, particularly against the backdrop of President-elect Donald Trump’s second term.
In a press call announcing Washington’s new climate target, known as “nationally determined contributions” or NDCs, John Podesta, senior advisor to President Biden for international climate policy, said that despite Trump’s plans to put “climate action on the back burner”, the work would continue to meet the goals.
“We’re looking to governors, mayors, business leaders, and more to carry this important work forward, because the rest of the world will now be looking to them to show how many Americans still care about the future of our planet and our communities,” he said.
Due to take office in January, Trump has in the past called climate change a “hoax”. And during his first term, he withdrew the US from the Paris Agreement – an action experts say he is likely to repeat.
“Even though the Trump administration may not lift a finger to deliver on this plan, it sets a north star for what the US should be aiming for and could help guide the federal government’s priorities once Trump leaves office in 2029,” said Debbie Weyl, Acting Director of the World Resources Institute US.
Rachel Cleetus, policy director and lead economist for the Climate and Energy Programme of the Union of Concerned Scientists, said that as the world’s largest historical emitter it was “fair and necessary” for the US to achieve and strengthen its goals in the future.
“The science is clear: limiting deadly and costly climate impacts necessitates that all major emitting countries quickly strengthen their emission reduction pledges,” she added.
Environmental watchdog 350.org is concerned that the climate target is insufficient to limit the global temperature rise to 1.5°C and prevent climate chaos.
The US has seen unprecedented climate impacts over the past year with devastation and destruction from hurricanes, wildfires, and flooding affecting frontline communities. Campaigners have been demanding 70% emissions reductions by 2030, and more climate finance is desperately needed – the National Determined Contribution (NDC) fails to commit funds to vulnerable communities in the Global South.
According to the group, as the world’s largest historical polluter, the US can and must do more both domestically and internationally, adding that the NDC also misses critical and clear sectoral targets for fossil fuel phase out and the renewable energy transition, another concerning omission.
Jeff Ordower, 350.org North America Director, says: “In this decisive decade and after a year of horrendous climate impacts in the US that have affected countless communities the science is still being ignored by the world’s largest historical polluter, the US. The climate target is well below what’s needed to prevent climate chaos and is an insult to the communities on the frontline who are feeling the impacts of climate change more than ever before.
“With decreasing demand for fossil fuels predicted in the next 10 years, we know that ensuring the renewable energy revolution is necessary regardless of who is the US president. But the pace of the US transition has enormous consequences for US frontline communities and abroad. While falling far short of what we need, the NDC does still offer some targets that U.S. cities and states can use as a blueprint for climate progress beyond the White House. We call on President Biden to add to this by adopting the Fair Shares US emissions and financial targets before he leaves office.”
The US is the latest country to come forward with new climate targets. Nations have until February to submit their emission reduction goals for 2035. Only a handful have already done so.
