On December 19, 2024, the United States submitted an updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the United Nations, committing to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 61% to 66% below 2005 levels by 2035. This ambitious target builds on the existing goal of a 50% to 52% reduction by 2030 and aligns with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)'s recommendation to limit global warming to 1.5°C [3bf1d9a1].
The announcement comes as the Biden administration faces significant political challenges, particularly with the impending inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump on January 20, 2025. Trump's administration is expected to withdraw from the Paris Agreement and roll back many of Biden's climate initiatives, prioritizing fossil fuel production over renewable energy [5e850820].
Despite these challenges, the U.S. Climate Alliance, representing nearly 60% of the U.S. economy and 55% of the population, has pledged to uphold Biden's emission reduction targets. New York Governor Kathy Hochul emphasized the importance of local and state efforts in achieving these goals, indicating a strong commitment to climate action at various levels of government [5e850820].
Former White House national climate advisor Gina McCarthy also highlighted the role of cities and businesses in maintaining momentum toward clean energy, suggesting that grassroots efforts may continue to thrive regardless of federal policy shifts [5e850820].
While the U.S. has made progress in climate finance, contributing $1.5 billion in 2021 and increasing that amount to $9.5 billion in 2023, the updated NDC lacks explicit commitments for future climate finance, which is a critical expectation ahead of the upcoming COP29 climate summit [3bf1d9a1].
As the National Energy Council, led by North Dakota Governor Doug Burgum, prepares to implement Trump's energy policies, experts express skepticism about the feasibility of Biden's targets without new incentives to support the transition to cleaner energy. The ongoing debate over energy policy underscores the challenges ahead as the Biden administration's goals clash with Trump's energy agenda [fed7a314].
With the next NDC deadline set for February 2025 and the implications of these leadership changes looming, the future of U.S. climate policy remains uncertain. Environmental groups are increasingly concerned that Trump's energy policies could lead the U.S. towards becoming a petrostate, prioritizing fossil fuel production at the expense of climate commitments [84ae04ac].
The juxtaposition of Biden's climate goals and Trump's anticipated energy policies highlights a significant shift in U.S. climate strategy, raising questions about the nation's ability to meet its climate commitments in the face of changing political leadership [84ae04ac].