On the first day at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26), United States (US) President Joe Biden announced Washington’s unwavering support in the fight against the climate crisis, despite previous administration faltering on the issue.
In his opening speech at the climate summit, Biden said, “We’ll demonstrate to the world the US is not only back at the table but hopefully leading by the power of our example.” “I know it hasn’t been the case, and that’s why my administration is working overtime to show that our climate commitment is action, not words,” he added.
Referring to his predecessor Donald Trump’s lack of commitment towards climate policy, Biden said, “I guess I shouldn’t apologise, but I do apologise for the fact that the US, in the last administration, pulled out of the Paris Accord and put us sort of behind the eight ball.”
Biden sought to make up for it in his ambitious climate plan. “The US will be able to meet the ambitious target I set in the Leaders’ Summit on Climate back in April, reducing the US emissions by 50 to 52 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030,” he said.
The US President’s new goals seek to build on his Build Back Better Framework, which includes a historic $555 billion investment in tackling climate change. At COP26, Biden announced the President’s Emergency Plan for Adaptation and Resilience (PREPARE), a $3 billion annual adaptation finance fund, set to begin in 2024, that will help “reduce climate impacts on those most vulnerable to climate change.”
However, despite these bold commitments, the Democratic party and Biden’s failure to pass their flagship $1.7 trillion social spending package in Congress continues to undermine all their climate commitments and promises made at the G20 and COP26. The social spending package suffered another setback on Monday as Democrat Senator Joe Manchin refused to support the bill, making it difficult for the Democrats to gain the majority necessary to push the bill into action.
According to Senator Manchin, the proposed bill is filled with “shell games” and “budget gimmicks” that drive up its projected price of $1.7 trillion. “While I’ve worked hard to find a path to compromise, it’s obvious: Compromise is not good enough for a lot of my colleagues in Congress,” Manchin said in a press conference.
Nonetheless, when asked about gaining Senator Manchin’s support, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer asserted, “We are still talking and working through important details and making good progress.” White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki also reaffirmed this, saying, “We remain confident that the plan will gain Senator Manchin’s support.”
In the absence of the world’s largest polluters, China and Russia, at COP26, the US continues to show commitment towards combating climate change. However, a lot depends on whether Biden’s ambitious climate agenda is passed at home.
Biden Announces Ambitious Climate Plan at COP26, Despite Another Setback at Home
On the first day of COP26, Washington announced a $3 billion annual adaptation finance fund set to begin in 2024, despite facing resistance to pass social spending bill
November 2, 2021
Unites States President Joe Biden SOURCE: REUTERS