Green groups have been pressuring the Biden administration to use its remaining time in power to finalize environmental standards and guidance, including the 2035 target, before Trump starts trying to bludgeon Biden’s climate work.
Trump has called climate change a hoax and is assembling a cabinet to help him roll back scores of environmental rules.
Activists say announcing a 2035 target before Trump’s return would set the bar for what is possible, and send a strong signal to other countries. Yet those countries may also simply dismiss the pledge, knowing it may never be delivered.
“It is a nonsense at this stage, unfortunately,” said a senior delegate from a Latin American country.
America’s current NDC calls for at least 50 percent emission cuts by 2030 from 2005 levels. Keeping those plans in line with a 1.5C rise would see the U.S. draw a straight line from that target to 2050, when greenhouse gas emissions are meant to be zeroed out.
Modeling by the Center for Global Sustainability at the University of Maryland shows that a feasible and ambitious NDC would aim for 65 percent emissions reductions by 2035. The Natural Resources Defense Council has called for cuts of at least 65 percent.
John Podesta, Biden’s adviser for international climate policy, told reporters earlier this week that it would also send a powerful signal if China’s own 2035 plan is aligned with the 1.5C goal. But Beijing’s lead climate envoy Liu Zhemin has expressed concern that Trump’s election means a reversal in U.S. climate policy.
