The President's Plan to Tackle Climate Change

 By Serena Goragandhi

President Biden convenes leaders of the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate (MEF) for the fourth time since taking office to discuss efforts needed to tackle the climate crisis and keep a 1.5°C limit on warming within reach. The United States will take new steps to meet its goal of reducing emissions by 50-52 percent in 2030 and will provide support for developing countries in taking stronger climate action. President Biden will focus on four key areas necessary to limit warming to 1.5°C, including decarbonizing energy, ending deforestation, tackling non-CO2 climate pollutants, and advancing carbon management.

The President will also encourage countries to strengthen their nationally determined contributions under the Paris Agreement to be in line with the 1.5°C goal by COP 28 this November. President Biden is providing $1 billion to the Green Climate Fund and requesting $500 million for the Amazon Fund and related activities. Furthermore, the President will mobilize multilateral development banks to address global challenges, such as climate change.

Regarding decarbonizing energy, President Biden will announce steps to drive down emissions in the power and transportation sectors, including setting ambitious 2030 zero-emission vehicle goals and decarbonizing international shipping. To support this effort, the U.S. will work with countries to accelerate carbon capture, removal, use, and storage technologies through a COP 28 Carbon Management Challenge to deal with emissions that cannot otherwise be avoided.

In collaboration with other leaders, the President will call for new steps their countries will take to fulfill their nationally determined contributions under the Paris Agreement. Additionally, the President will provide $1 billion to the Green Climate Fund and ask countries to work with the multilateral development banks to address global challenges like climate change.