Joe Biden has won the United States of America election after attaining and surpassing the minimum 270 Electoral College delegates required to head to the White House. Pitted against the incumbent, Donald J. Trump; Joe Biden put up a spirited performance which earned him the ticket in a hotly contested plebiscite.
In the context of environmental sustainability and climate change discussions, the outcome of the election has far reaching impacts on the ability of the world to fight climate change. It is well known that the United States of America is the second highest emitter of Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the world (5.41 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide) rivalled only by China (ranked first in greenhouse gas emissions) which emits 10.06 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide. Given its global contribution to emissions, it is essential for the United States to step up efforts in climate mitigation and reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.
Speaking to prospective voters in various states and caucuses, Biden pledged to return the United States to the Paris Agreement on the first day he assumes office. In a tweet delivered on 5 November 2020, Biden implored, “Today, Trump Administration officially left the Paris Climate Agreement. And in Exactly 77 days, a Biden Administration will join it”
The Paris Agreement is a climate pact which brings together about 175 Conference of Parties to fight climate change. One of its major highlights includes the formulation of Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) which set emission reduction targets at national level.
On 20 January 2021 at midday; on the steps of the Capital Building in Washington DC, Biden will be inaugurated, carrying the hopes of many environmental enthusiasts and those who are concerned about the changes in our climate. Whether or not he will live to the billing and deliver a New Green Deal, remains to be seen.
Biden’s promise to scale up the adoption of renewable energy technologies in the United States of America is seen as a key step in halting irreversible warming of the planet. His predecessor had supported fossil fuels in his administration and therefore the change in the leadership helm could signal a policy shift towards cleaner energy sources.
Climate denialism had been one of the key features of the election opponent Donald Trump. The incumbent had believed that climate change was and is a hoax. The chilling win by Biden, could facilitate shift towards science based-views of climate change and accelerated actions by the USA in dealing with climate change.
Joe Biden plans to spend 2 trillion United States Dollars on clean energy sources and work to recover years of climate action demonization. As countries head towards the COP-26 Conference at the end of 2021, it is very clear that the United States of America may play a leading role in accelerated action towards climate mitigation and adaptation.
The Green Climate Fund (GCF), which is the world’s biggest funding source of climate finance looks set to be replenished and the US may end up paying its contributions to the Green Climate Fund.
