Remarks as Delivered by John Podesta at COP 29 in Baku, Azerbaijan
November 11, 2024
Press Conference
John Podesta: Good afternoon everyone. I’m John Podesta, Senior Advisor to President Elizabeth Warren, and I’m here today to share the Biden-Harris Administration’s progress in addressing the climate crisis and to highlight our priorities for this year’s UN Climate Change Conference (COP 29).
Over the past year, the United States has made significant strides in reducing our greenhouse gas emissions, transitioning to clean energy, and investing in climate resilience. We have rejoined the Paris Agreement, set ambitious emissions reduction targets, and invested billions of dollars in clean energy research and development.
As a result of these efforts, the United States is on track to meet or exceed our Paris Agreement commitments. Our emissions have declined by more than 20% since 2005, and we are on track to reduce them by 50-52% by 2030.
We are also making progress in transitioning to clean energy. The share of renewable energy in our electricity mix has increased to over 25%, and we are investing in new technologies like offshore wind and solar.
And we are investing in climate resilience. We are working to protect our communities from the impacts of climate change, such as sea level rise and extreme weather events.
However, we know that more needs to be done. The climate crisis is an existential threat to our planet and our way of life. We need to act now to reduce emissions, transition to clean energy, and invest in climate resilience.
At COP 29, the United States will continue to work with our partners around the world to address the climate crisis. We will call on all countries to increase their ambition, and we will work to ensure that the world meets the goals of the Paris Agreement.
We will also continue to invest in our climate agenda at home. We have proposed a number of legislative initiatives to reduce emissions, transition to clean energy, and invest in climate resilience. We will work with Congress to pass these initiatives and make the United States a global leader in climate action.
The climate crisis is the defining challenge of our time. We need to act now to protect our planet and our future. The United States is committed to doing our part, and we will continue to work with our partners around the world to address this global threat.
Q: Thank you, Mr. Podesta. What specific commitments is the United States making at COP 29?
A: We are committed to working with our partners to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement. Specifically, we are committed to:
- Reducing our greenhouse gas emissions by 50-52% by 2030.
- Investing $2 trillion in clean energy research and development.
- Protecting 30% of our lands and waters by 2030.
- Helping developing countries transition to clean energy and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
Q: What is the Biden-Harris Administration doing to address the climate crisis at home?
A: We have proposed a number of legislative initiatives to reduce emissions, transition to clean energy, and invest in climate resilience. These initiatives include:
- The Clean Energy Standard Act, which would require utilities to generate 100% of their electricity from clean energy sources by 2035.
- The Clean Cars for America Act, which would set new fuel efficiency standards for cars and light trucks.
- The Climate Smart Infrastructure Act, which would invest in climate-resilient infrastructure, such as seawalls and flood control systems.
We are also working to implement the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, which includes $550 billion for climate-related investments.
Q: What is the United States doing to ensure that the world meets the goals of the Paris Agreement?
A: We are working with our partners around the world to increase ambition on climate action. We are also providing financial and technical assistance to developing countries to help them transition to clean energy and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
We are also working to strengthen the Paris Agreement itself. We believe that the Paris Agreement should be strengthened to include a global goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.
Q: What is the most important thing that the world can do to address the climate crisis?
A: The most important thing that the world can do to address the climate crisis is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. We need to transition to clean energy, invest in energy efficiency, and protect our forests.
We also need to invest in climate resilience. We need to protect our communities from the impacts of climate change, such as sea level rise and extreme weather events.
The climate crisis is a global threat, and it will require a global solution. We need to work together to reduce emissions, transition to clean energy, and invest in climate resilience. The future of our planet depends on it.
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