Biden Announces Bold Climate Target: 61%-66% Emissions Cut On Dec. 19, 2024, President Joe Biden announced an ambitious new climate target for the United States: a 61 percent-66 percent reduction in net greenhouse gas emissions by 2035, compared to 2005 levels. This announcement is a signal to the international community that the U.S. remains committed to combating climate change. The new target was formally communicated to the United Nations Climate Change secretariat in an updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) toward the Paris Agreement goal to limit the global average temperature increase to 1.5 degrees C above pre-industrial levels. It significantly expands on the United States’ previous pledge of a 50 percent-52 percent reduction by 2030. This accelerated trajectory toward decarbonization also brings the U.S. back into alignment with President Biden’s target of a net zero greenhouse gas economy no later than 2050. However, the announcement comes at a politically fraught moment, with President-elect Donald Trump expected to withdraw the U.S. from Paris climate treaty again , and roll back many of Biden’s climate policies. This juxtaposition underscores the fragility of long-term climate commitments in the U.S. federal system. The new target serves as both a legacy statement for President Biden and a call for state governments, tribes, local communities, and businesses to sustain progress, even amid federal policy shifts. Key Strategies to Achieve the Target Meeting the 61 percent-66 percent reduction target will require a combination of policies, investments, and innovation across key sectors: Accelerating Renewable Energy Deployment: Expanding wind, solar, and other renewable energy sources is critical to decarbonizing the power sector. Enhanced federal support, such as tax incentives and grid modernization projects, will be needed to maintain momentum. Enhancing Energy Efficiency: Energy efficiency measures across buildings, industry, and transportation sectors can significantly reduce emissions. Strategies include retrofitting […]