Biden pledges to cut US emissions 50% under 2005 levels by 2030
London, (Quantum Commodity Intelligence) - US President Joe Biden pledged to cut US emissions by 50% under 2005 levels by 2030 on Thursday, a more ambitious cut than that made by President Barack Obama, but one that environmental groups says falls short of what was needed.
Ahead of a virtual climate summit with dozens of world leaders, the US president said it was a first step and called on other countries to toughen their targets.
"These steps will set America on a path of net-zero emissions economy by no later than 2050," Biden said in remarks from the White House. "But the truth is, America represents less than 50 per cent of the world's emissions. No nation can solve this crisis on our own, as I know you all fully understand."
The so-called independent nationally determined contribution, or target, will be communicated to the UN under the 2015 Paris Agreement - a 2015 pact that the US rejoined earlier this year.
The pledge, which is meant to help the US become carbon neutral by 2050, compares with a 2015 pledge to cut emissions 26-28% under 2005 emissions by 2025.
Biden has made climate change one of his top priorities, scrapping the Keystone pipeline project to take shale oil from Canada to the southern US while making CO2 cuts a key part of his $2.2 trillion infrastructure plan.
Pathway
To meet the goal the US will need to expedite the deployment of clean energy and engineering projects that will capture, transport and bury CO2 emissions from refineries, petrochemical crackers and power stations while also investing heavily in hydrogen.
The pledge involves reaching 100% carbon-pollution free electricity by 2035, meaning the US is likely to retrofit existing power plants with carbon capture technology.
In terms of housing, it will mean new building regulations that will involve tougher targets for efficient and wider use of heat pumps.
New regulations for automakers may be on the way to improve the efficiency of vehicles while also incentivising new renewable fuel technology for the aviation sector.
Environmental groups, however, called for Biden to do more.
"Biden has to show his commitment to addressing today's interlocking public health, racial inequity, and climate crises," said Janet Redman, climate campaign director for Greenpeace the US.
"That means slashing US carbon pollution by beginning the transition away from fossil fuels now, while ensuring no worker or community is left behind," she said, adding the US should aim for a 70% cut, remove fossil fuel subsidies and limit carbon offset deals.
The two-day summit ends Friday and is expected to see other big emitters, such as Japan, table new targets.
