President Joe Biden announced a bold plan to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by more than 60% by 2035, reaffirming his administration's commitment to fighting global warming. This move comes as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office next month, vowing to dismantle much of Biden's climate agenda in favor of policies that promote fossil fuel production.
Biden's updated goal, which exceeds his previous commitments, aims to keep the United States on track to achieve net-zero carbon emissions in all sectors of the economy by 2050. The formal commitment, known as a Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), it will be submitted to the United Nations under the Paris Climate Agreement. This international agreement, adopted in 2015, requires participating nations to outline and periodically update their climate goals.
The new goal calls for a reduction in grid emissions of between 61% and 66% below 2005 levels by 2035. Biden described the revised goal as the most ambitious climate agenda in U.S. history.
“I am proud that my administration is executing the boldest climate plan the United States has ever seen,” Biden said in a prerecorded statement.
The president has outlined key strategies to achieve this goal, including generating 30 gigawatts of offshore wind energy and conserving at least 30% of the nation's lands and waters by 2030. His administration has also implemented stringent standards of pollution from vehicles, power plants and industrial facilities. , while ensuring historic investments in renewable energy through the Inflation Reduction Act.
A clash of visions on the climate
Biden's announcement comes just weeks before he leaves office. Meanwhile, President-elect Trump has vowed to reverse much of Biden's climate policy, calling it bad for the economy. Trump, who has previously dismissed climate change as a “hoax”, has promised to prioritize “energy dominance” by increasing production of fossil fuels such as oil, coal and natural gas, key contributors to global warming.
Trump has indicated his intention to withdraw the United States from the Paris climate agreement for a second time, as he did during his first term. He is also expected to roll back provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act, including subsidies for electric vehicles and offshore wind projects, which have been central to Biden's climate agenda.
Despite these looming challenges, Biden's team has sought to downplay the potential impact of Trump's policies. Senior officials say the momentum for clean energy and climate action extends beyond the federal government, with states, cities and private industries driving significant progress.
“Climate leadership is no longer defined solely by who sits in the Oval Office,” said John Podesta, Biden's senior climate adviser.
Podesta pointed out that climate action is being implemented at the local level, in cities like Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Boise and Baltimore. He expressed confidence that the new 2035 emissions goal would inspire leaders nationwide to continue pursuing clean energy initiatives, regardless of changes in federal leadership.
“This is not wishful thinking,” Podesta said. “This is about ensuring that the work to tackle climate change continues with determination and urgency.”
Ambitious goals for a sustainable future
Biden called the updated climate goal a transformative opportunity for the country. He highlighted the potential for creating millions of good-paying jobs, expanding access to affordable energy, and improving public health through cleaner air and water.
“We are turning this existential crisis into a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to transform our nation,” Biden said. “If we work together, we can achieve this.”
The proposal calls for radical changes in all sectors of the economy, including transport, energy production, agriculture and industrial processes. It predicts a significant increase in renewable energy sources such as wind and solar, along with a sharp reduction in fossil fuel emissions.
A key component of the plan calls for reducing methane emissions by at least 35 percent below 2005 levels by 2035. Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, is a major contributor to short-term global warming. Reducing methane emissions is considered one of the most effective ways to curb climate change in the short term.
The global context
Biden's updated commitment is in line with the broader goals of the Paris Climate Agreement, which seeks to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. The agreement requires participating nations to submit updated NDCs every five years, with increasingly ambitious targets.
Biden's announcement positions the United States as a global leader in climate action, even as other nations prepare their own updated commitments ahead of the February 2025 deadline. Countries such as Brazil, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates have already submitted theirs NDCs revised.
While the new goals are non-binding, they carry significant symbolic weight, signaling the United States' commitment to addressing the climate crisis. However, with Trump set to take office next month, the longevity of these commitments remains uncertain.
A divided path forward
As the United States transitions to new leadership, the clash between Biden's climate vision and Trump's energy agenda highlights the deep divide in the nation's approach to environmental policy. Biden's ambitious goals aim to position the United States at the forefront of global climate action, while Trump's promises to increase fossil fuel production and loosen regulations could push the country in the opposite direction.
For now, Biden remains optimistic, urging politicians, businesses and communities to stay the course. “Together we can seize this moment to create a cleaner, more sustainable future for generations to come,” he said.
What happens next will depend on the political will of Congress, the resilience of state and local initiatives, and the actions of a new administration determined to chart its own course.