Ashley Siefert Nunes
WASHINGTON—Today marks the 9th anniversary of the Paris Agreement’s adoption, which set crucial science-informed goals to limit catastrophic climate change. Under the agreement adopted by nearly every country, nations are to submit updated emission reduction pledges, also known as nationally determined contributions (NDCs), next year. The Union of Concerned Scientists is calling on the Biden administration to demonstrate its commitment to tackling the climate crisis by announcing a bold U.S. NDC by the end of this year that would establish new, more ambitious targets to be achieved by 2035.
Below is a statement by Dr. Rachel Cleetus, the policy director and lead economist for the Climate and Energy Program at UCS. She has been attending the U.N.’s international climate talks and has partnered with the international community on climate and energy policies for about 20 years.
“The Biden administration must seize this moment to announce a bold 2035 emissions reduction target and plan that will set a clear benchmark for U.S. climate action over the next decade. Science and the public interest, not politics, should set the bar for climate ambition. A robust 2035 emissions reduction target can serve as a guiding star for forward-leaning states and cities, Tribal nations, businesses, and civil society striving to maintain U.S. climate and clean energy momentum that advances the goals of the Paris Agreement.
“Accelerating clean energy progress and transitioning away from fossil fuels is good for the economy and will help protect the health and pocketbooks of people across the nation. While the Biden administration has made important climate progress with landmark policies such as the Inflation Reduction Act and strong pollution standards, with many states also contributing significantly, the United States must do much more to cut emissions, limit fossil fuel use and contribute its fair share to global climate efforts.
“With 2024 on track to be the hottest year on record and extreme climate disasters taking a fearsome toll on vulnerable communities, there’s no time to waste. The science is clear that all major emitting countries—including the United States, which is the largest historical contributor to global heat-trapping emissions—must rapidly cut emissions or people around the world will face the consequences of a catastrophic increase in global average temperatures by as much as 3.1 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels.
“Filling the void in federal climate leadership during the Trump administration’s term will be a monumental undertaking. Despite threats made by the incoming administration to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement, announcing a robust 2035 U.S. NDC this year is important to galvanize more ambitious action from state and local policymakers in the United States, businesses and other major emitting countries. This is a defining moment for President Biden to leave an enduring legacy that affirms nations don’t need to choose between securing prosperity today and leaving a safer world for our children and grandchildren.”