Washington, DC – Foreign Policy for America welcomes commitments made at the opening of the COP26 Climate Summit this week. Climate change is a critical factor in nearly every foreign policy challenge the United States faces, from migration and conflict to international investment and trade opportunities, to global health and food security. Leading the fight against climate change must be a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy, and we applaud President Biden’s efforts to restore U.S. leadership in the fight against climate change.
Foreign Policy for America appreciates the Biden administration’s release of a long-term strategy to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, and notes with approval pledges to cut global methane emissions by 30% and halt deforestation by 2030. However much more needs to be done in the coming weeks in Glasgow, Washington, and other capitals if the world is going to achieve its goal of limiting climate change to 1.5 degrees Celsius by the end of this century.
“We are pleased to see these initial first steps out of Glasgow, but much more needs to be done if the United States is going to rise to the challenge of climate change,” said Foreign Policy for America Senior Director for Policy Ben Weingrod. “Strong commitments by the Biden administration must be met by equally decisive action by Congress to ensure the U.S. lives up to its commitments. We call on Congress to quickly pass the historic investments in clean energy and innovation in the Build Back Better legislation and act on President Biden’s pledge to double U.S. investments in climate financing by 2024.”
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