The Biden Administration released its updated NDC this morning. In response to that, below is a statement by Climate Group’s Executive Director for North America, Angela Barranco, and Gov Jay Inslee of Washington.
In addition, Climate Group will host a LinkedIn Live-session at 11.30 AM Eastern Time, with Bill Ritter, former US Governor of Colorado, Angela Barranco, and Toby Walker, Senior Manager, International Advocacy, at Climate Group.
‘Today’s NDC shows how much progress US has made over past four years on climate.’
In reaction to the Administration’s NDC commitment, Angela Barranco, Executive Director of Climate Group for North America, commented:
“Today’s Trump-proof climate commitment shows just how much progress we’ve made in the past four years towards curbing the devastating effects of climate change. This NDC is realistic and achievable based on the current landscape. It’s built on four years of record investments, and it demonstrates that there’s still a pathway to 1.5 degrees or less. Regardless of what the new administration will do - we know that the leadership from business and the states will ensure we meet our targets for 2035.
It would have been easy for this administration to announce an unachievable target knowing it would likely be dropped in just a few weeks’ time. But by setting an achievable target for 2035, aligned with a temperature rise of 1.5 degrees, US states and business have a clear goal for what needs to happen in the coming years – with or without Federal support.
This NDC reflects the power of businesses and subnational governments, and the knowledge that they not only have the ambition but the power to achieve these goals. Addressing climate change will require leadership from all sectors and geographies.
The message we are getting from our global network of members from the private sector, alongside our network of 17 US States, is clear: There is nothing more important than our work together to solve this global crises and we are committed to continuing and expanding that work.
Gov. Jay Inslee of Washington
“The ambition laid out today by the Biden Administration firmly aligns the U.S. with the Paris Agreement. President Biden’s IRA has altered the direction of the country for good and supercharged our collective climate action efforts. It has created jobs, boosted innovation, and changed our energy consumption – irreversible progress that states and local governments will continue to build on. States are well positioned to continue leading on U.S. climate action, sharing best practices and driving progress through the Under2 Coalition and US Climate Alliance. In Washington we’re working hard to implement a nation-leading suite of climate policies including our cap-and-invest program, clean buildings, and 100% clean electricity—and we have no intention of slowing down.”
About Under2 Coalition
The Under2 Coalition is the largest global network of states and regions committed to reaching net zero emissions by 2050. Climate Group acts as secretariat of the Under2 Coalition. The coalition represents 178 individual states, regions, provinces and subnational governments along with several other national and subnational entities: a total of more than 270 actors, totaling more than 50% of global GDP.