US ‘likely’ to pledge new climate target, says White House

illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on POLITICO or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: Despite Donald Trump's planned withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, the Biden administration is likely to announce a new climate target before leaving office
• The White House aims to set a 2035 emissions reduction goal to keep the U.S. aligned with the 1.5°C global warming limit
• However, the timeline overlaps with Trump’s return to office, raising concerns about the target's durability

🔭 The context: Trump has vowed to reverse Biden’s climate policies, casting uncertainty on future U.S. climate commitments
• The current U.S. target (NDC) is a 50% reduction in emissions by 2030, but environmental groups and analysts argue that the U.S. should set a 65% reduction target by 2035 to maintain alignment with the 1.5°C goal
• Biden’s climate team is pushing forward at COP29 to keep U.S. commitments influential in global climate policy

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The U.S. plays a critical role in global climate efforts, and setting an ambitious 2035 target could pressure other nations to adopt stricter goals
• However, a policy reversal under Trump would signal wavering U.S. commitment, potentially weakening international resolve
• The outcome will influence whether global climate targets remain credible or if countries lose momentum toward emissions reductions

⏭️ What's next: Biden’s team is expected to solidify the 2035 target by February, just before Trump’s re-inauguration
• Activists are urging the White House to finalize key environmental standards to strengthen the U.S.’s climate commitments
• Meanwhile, global attention will focus on how other major emitters, like China, respond to potential shifts in U.S. climate policy

💬 One quote: “We are unambiguously showing up here... with a clear message: the U.S. will be advancing a one-and-a-half degree aligned nationally determined contribution” – Ali Zaidi, U.S. national climate adviser

📈 One stat: Modeling suggests a 2035 target should reflect a 65% emissions reduction from 2005 levels to stay on track for 1.5°C

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