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How has Biden approached climate diplomacy?

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Kuala Lumpur, Indonesia
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The election of President Joe Biden brought forth a renewed sense of hope and urgency in the fight against climate change.

On April 22, 2021, world leaders were brought together at the Leaders’ Summit on Climate.

With a firm commitment to reversing the policies of the previous administration, Biden promised bold action to address pressing environmental challenges, from rejoining international agreements to implementing ambitious clean energy initiatives.

However, throughout his tenure, Biden’s road to a green America hasn’t come without obstacles.

Assessing the success of politicians in meeting their climate promises is of paramount importance. By holding politicians accountable for their commitments, we ensure transparency, foster trust, and drive meaningful action.

During his election campaign, Biden outlined four priorities in his green agenda.

Firstly, just a few hours after his inauguration, Biden signed the Paris Agreement, making it one of his first official acts in office. This decision marked a swift reversal of the previous administration’s policies and demonstrated Biden’s commitment to addressing climate change.

Another key focus was transitioning to a clean energy economy. He recognized the importance of reducing reliance on fossil fuels, pledging to invest in solar and wind power, as well as support the development of clean technologies.

This transition aimed to create sustainable jobs and foster the growth of clean energy industries mainly through an infrastructure plan. These investments would support the development of electric vehicle charging stations, expand renewable energy projects, and enhance the resilience and efficiency of the energy system with a goal to double offshore wind production by 2030.

In his first week in office, Biden signed an executive order aimed at transitioning the entire government vehicle fleet, which consists of approximately 650,000 cars, to electric vehicles.

Additionally, he successfully secured $15 billion USD as part of a bipartisan infrastructure package to support the installation of electric vehicle charging stations and the electrification of public transit systems.

Environmental justice was also made to be a central focus of his agenda.

He aimed to address the disproportionate impact of pollution and climate change on marginalized communities. This included ensuring equitable access to clean air, clean water, and a healthy environment.

To make this happen, an executive order was signed to establish the White House Environmental Justice Interagency Council, which aims to address the disproportionate impact of pollution and climate change on marginalized communities.

He has also directed federal agencies to develop strategies for advancing environmental justice, including increased enforcement of environmental regulations in affected communities.

Steps have been made to address legacy pollution by directing resources and funding to clean up and remediate contaminated sites, with a focus on areas with high environmental justice concerns. This includes investing in the cleanup of abandoned mines and promoting environmental justice in the context of clean energy transition.

Lastly, Biden aimed to restore and strengthen environmental regulations that had been rolled back under the previous administration.

He sought to reverse decisions that weakened climate change policies, promote stricter emission standards, and adopt measures to protect natural habitats and biodiversity. By restoring and bolstering environmental regulations, he aimed to safeguard air quality, protect water resources, and preserve public lands.

He ordered reviews for regulations related to environmental protection, including those governing vehicle emissions, methane emissions from the oil and gas sector, and water pollution. These orders aimed to reinstate stricter standards and requirements to address climate change and protect natural resources.

The Biden administration sought to enhance the role of science in decision-making processes.

They reinstated scientific advisory committees and reversed policies that limited the use of scientific research in rulemaking to ensure that environmental regulations and policies are based on sound scientific evidence and expertise.

Furthermore, the administration increased funding for environmental enforcement agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and directed them to prioritize enforcement actions against polluters. The focus was on holding accountable those who violated environmental regulations and ensuring that companies take necessary measures to reduce pollution and protect the environment.

On a global level, Biden and President Xi Jinping of China showcased the commitment of the world’s two largest carbon emitters to combat climate change and encourage other countries to take ambitious action.

Negotiations faced challenges due to geopolitical tensions and differing policy priorities. While the United States sought stronger commitments from China on reducing emissions and ending support for coal projects, China emphasized its own achievements and called for developed countries to provide financial and technological support to developing nations.

Despite the difficulties, both leaders recognized the urgency of addressing climate change and the need for cooperation.

The Biden administration has also made climate change a central issue in its diplomatic engagements. Climate considerations are now incorporated into foreign policy decisions and interactions with other nations, reinforcing the global importance of addressing the climate crisis.

Commitments were also made to provide increased financial support to developing countries to help them mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change.

This includes fulfilling the U.S. pledge to contribute $2 billion to the Green Climate Fund, which assists developing countries in their climate-related efforts. The Biden administration has also stressed the need for collaborative research and innovation to address climate challenges. It has engaged in partnerships with other countries and international organizations to enhance scientific cooperation, share data and knowledge, and develop innovative solutions to climate change impacts.

However, Biden’s environmental agenda started to show cracks.

On his first day in office, Biden revoked the permit for the Keystone XL pipeline, which had been approved under the previous administration of President Donald Trump, gathering criticism in the process.

While President Trump saw the Keystone XL pipeline as a key infrastructure project that would boost the economy, President Biden viewed it as incompatible with his administration’s climate agenda.

Despite the decision being seen as a significant move to prioritize environmental concerns and shift towards cleaner energy sources, many concerns were raised. Critics pointed out that the addition of the pipeline would have created jobs and enhanced energy security which was made impossible by the Biden administration.

In contrast, on March 13, Biden approved the oil and gas drilling project proposed in Alaska’s National Petroleum Reserve otherwise known as the Willow Project. The project was initiated during the Trump administration but faced opposition from environmental groups concerned about its potential impact on the region’s sensitive ecosystem and contribution to climate change.

This decision received criticism from environmentalists who argued that it contradicted Biden’s climate agenda and promises to end drilling on public land.

The project is expected to extract significant amounts of oil, which could contribute to an abundant volume of carbon emissions and hinder progress toward a sustainable and renewable energy future. Similarly, on November 21, Biden auctioned an estimated 80 million acres of land to be used in fossil fuel extraction located in the Gulf of Mexico.

Now, as his term of office is coming to an end, many pose the question of whether Biden’s environmental successes would outweigh the effects of the setbacks.

Despite pushing America toward a greener future, Biden’s work can just as easily be undone by future presidents as seen in the case of the Trump administration. Under Trump, the administration rolled back several environmental regulations and policies implemented during the Obama era.

Throughout his tenure, Trump aimed to dismantle key environmental regulations and initiatives in an effort to prioritize economic growth and reduce what he viewed as burdensome regulations.

The Biden administration’s commitment to climate action and environmental protection sets an important precedent for future presidents.

While there may be differing priorities and approaches among future presidents, the progress made by the Biden administration serves as a foundation for future leaders to build upon.

It is crucial for future presidents to continue the momentum, uphold climate commitments, and advance sustainable policies to mitigate the impacts of climate change and protect the environment for generations to come.

Remote Writer Kuala Lumpur, Indonesia

Hey, I’m Anyaa, a Behavioral Economist in the making who is currently doing a degree in Psychology. By nature, I’m a journalist who hopes to instigate conversations by sharing the stories and truths that make the world more comprehensible.

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