President Joe Biden has announced a bold plan to cut U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by over 60% by 2035, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to combating global warming. This move comes as President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office next month, promising to dismantle much of Biden’s climate agenda in favor of policies that promote fossil fuel production.
Biden’s updated target, which exceeds his previous commitments, aims to keep the United States on track to achieve net-zero carbon emissions across all sectors of the economy by 2050. The formal pledge, known as a Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), will be submitted to the United Nations under the framework of the Paris Climate Agreement. This international accord, adopted in 2015, requires participating nations to outline and periodically update their climate goals.
The new target mandates a reduction in grid emissions between 61% and 66% from 2005 levels by 2035. Biden described the revised objective as the most ambitious climate agenda in U.S. history.
“I am proud that my administration is delivering the boldest climate plan the United States has ever seen,” Biden said in a prerecorded statement.
The president 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 strict pollution standards for vehicles, power plants, and industrial facilities, while securing historic investments in renewable energy through the Inflation Reduction Act.
A clash of climate visions
Biden’s announcement comes just weeks before he is set to leave office. Meanwhile, President-elect Trump has vowed to undo much of Biden’s climate policy, characterizing it as detrimental to the economy. Trump, who has previously dismissed climate change as a “hoax,” has promised to prioritize “energy dominance” by ramping up production of fossil fuels such as oil, coal, and natural gas—key contributors to global warming.
Trump has indicated plans to withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement for a second time, as he did during his first term in office. Additionally, he is expected to roll back provisions in 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 argue that momentum for clean energy and climate action extends beyond the federal government, with states, cities, and private industries driving significant progress.
“The leadership on climate is no longer solely defined by who sits in the Oval Office,” said John Podesta, Biden’s senior climate advisor.
Podesta emphasized that climate action is being implemented at the local level, across cities like Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Boise, and Baltimore. He expressed confidence that the new 2035 emissions target would inspire leaders nationwide to continue advancing clean energy initiatives, regardless of changes in federal leadership.
“This isn’t about wishful thinking,” Podesta said. “It’s about ensuring that the work to address climate change continues with determination and urgency.”
Ambitious goals for a sustainable future
Biden characterized the updated climate target as a transformative opportunity for the country. He highlighted the potential for creating millions of well-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-generation opportunity to transform our nation,” Biden said. “If we work together, we can achieve this.”
The proposal calls for sweeping changes across all sectors of the economy, including transportation, energy generation, agriculture, and industrial processes. It envisions a significant increase in renewable energy sources like wind and solar, alongside a sharp reduction in fossil fuel emissions.
A key component of the plan involves cutting methane emissions by at least 35% from 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 near term.
The global context
Biden’s updated pledge aligns 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 their revised NDCs.
While the new targets are non-binding, they carry significant symbolic weight, signaling the U.S. commitment to addressing the climate crisis. However, with Trump poised to assume office next month, the longevity of these commitments remains uncertain.
A divided path forward
As the U.S. transitions to new leadership, the clash between Biden’s climate vision and Trump’s energy agenda underscores 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 boost fossil fuel production and roll back regulations could pull the country in the opposite direction.
For now, Biden remains optimistic, urging policymakers, 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.
