United States Climate Target: Bare Minimum on Climate Action
December 19, 2024 – The United States federal government has announced its 2035 climate target or Nationally Determined Contribution: to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 60-61% below 2005 levels. 350.org is concerned that today’s climate target is insufficient to limit the global temperature rise to 1.5°C and prevent climate chaos.
The US has seen unprecedented climate impacts over the past year with devastation and destruction from hurricanes, wildfires, and flooding affecting frontline communities. Campaigners have been demanding 70% emissions reductions by 2030 and more climate finance is desperately needed – the National Determined Contribution (NDC) fails to commit funds to vulnerable communities in the Global South. As the world’s largest historical polluter, the US can and must do more both domestically and internationally. The NDC also misses critical and clear sectoral targets for fossil fuel phase out and the renewable energy transition, another concerning omission.
Jeff Ordower, 350.org North America Director says:
“In this decisive decade and after a year of horrendous climate impacts in the US that have affected countless communities the science is still being ignored by the world’s largest historical polluter, the US. The climate target is well below what’s needed to prevent climate chaos and is an insult to the communities on the frontline who are feeling the impacts of climate change more than ever before.
With decreasing demand for fossil fuels predicted in the next 10 years, we know that ensuring the renewable energy revolution is necessary regardless of who is the US president. But the pace of the US transition has enormous consequences for US frontline communities and abroad. While falling far short of what we need, the NDC does still offer some targets that U.S. cities and states can use as a blueprint for climate progress beyond the White House. We call on President Biden to add to this by adopting the Fair Shares US emissions and financial targets before he leaves office.”
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