Joe Biden significantly strengthened existing goals when he proposed ambitious carbon dioxide emission targets for the US, aiming to cut greenhouse gases by 61%-66% by 2035 compared to 2005 levels. This strategy attempts to push the US to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 and was presented as the country’s revised Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement.

Biden described the revised NDC as part of the “boldest climate agenda in American history,” citing successes such as the Inflation Reduction Act and a cumulative investment of $450 billion in renewable energy. He highlighted ongoing efforts by local, tribal, and state governments, emphasizing their contributions to driving climate action momentum.

Challenges to Carbon Dioxide Emission Targets for the US and Subnational Efforts

The Biden administration emphasized the importance of the revised NDC, particularly in the context of challenges posed during Donald Trump’s presidency. According to John Podesta, senior advisor for international climate policy, the revised NDC sends a strong signal encouraging these entities to continue their efforts. While the updated targets align with scientific recommendations, some analysts, such as Gareth Redmond-King of the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit, argued that even more aggressive action by 2030 would be necessary to limit warming to 1.5°C.

Debbie Weyl of the World Resources Institute emphasized that achieving these goals would depend heavily on proactive measures by states and cities, particularly in the absence of additional federal legislation.

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Fossil Fuels, Clean Energy, and Future Climate Impacts

Even if investments in renewable energy and fossil fuel production reached all-time highs under Biden’s administration, analysts anticipate that the US clean energy industry will continue to thrive despite Trump’s anticipated push for fossil fuels. The shift to clean energy would establish the United States as a leader in climate technology and generate new employment, according to Clarence Edwards of the E3G USA think group.

Experts warned that the impacts of climate change—such as droughts, floods, and storms—are likely to intensify if insufficient action is taken. Former Clinton White House climate staffer Paul Bledsoe contrasted Biden’s ambitious goals with Trump’s rollbacks, describing the latter as detrimental to public safety and global climate efforts.

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