US Climate Envoy John Kerry Exits Biden Administration
- John Kerry, the U.S. special envoy on climate, is planning to step down from his position in the Biden administration in the coming weeks. Kerry’s departure plans were first reported by Axios.
- Kerry, who was appointed to this position after the November 2020 election, has played a major role in drafting the 2015 Paris climate accords and has significant experience in foreign relations due to his experience as a secretary of state during the Obama administration and member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee for nearly three decades. His selection to this role was seen as a fulfillment of Biden’s promise to seriously tackle climate change.
- During his tenure, Kerry has faced criticism for U.S. climate policies, especially the Inflation Reduction Act, which has been accused of being protective and harmful to the green industries of other countries. He also opposed the creation of a “loss and damage” fund to aid developing countries affected by climate change but later supported it during COP27 in Egypt in 2022. However, the U.S. has pledged only minimal funding for this initiative.
John Kerry To Leave Biden Administration
John Kerry, the U.S. special envoy on climate, will soon be exiting the Biden administration, reveal sources close to him. As a key architect of the 2015 Paris climate accords, Kerry was entrusted to spearhead the fight against climate change after Biden’s 2020 victory.
His imminent departure was initially reported by Axios. Kerry’s extensive foreign experience stems from his tenure as the secretary of state during the Obama administration, and 30 years in the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. His appointment signified Biden’s commitment to tackling climate change more aggressively than prior administrations.
“The climate crisis is a universal threat to humankind and we all have a responsibility to deal with it swiftly,” Kerry expressed during a Beijing visit last summer. At international climate summits, Kerry’s credibility and influence were evident as he tirelessly navigated multiple meetings, press briefings, and initiatives aimed at combating climate change.
His packed schedule would include discussing methane reduction strategies with oil companies, planning green energy transitions in developing countries, and addressing global illegal fishing issues. His tireless efforts earned him praise from ex-Vice President Al Gore, who commended Kerry’s “bold vision, resolute determination, and the urgency that this crisis demands.”
Despite his notable global reputation, Kerry also faced criticism for what some saw as America’s lack of leadership in global warming initiatives. The Inflation Reduction Act, the largest climate law in U.S. history, is investing billions into renewables. However, critics argue that the law’s emphasis on domestic production is protectionist and harmful to other nations’ green industries.
For years, the U.S. opposed a “loss and damage” fund to aid developing countries affected by climate change. The fund approved at COP27 in Egypt in 2022 drew U.S. support. Yet, Kerry maintains the fund isn’t about “reparations” or “compensation,” and the U.S. has only pledged minimal funding.
Kerry’s political career spans 28 years representing Massachusetts in the Senate, and a 2004 Democratic presidential nomination.
—
Read More USA News
Leave a Comment