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May 12, 2021
On April 22, the Biden-Harris Administration announced America’s new greenhouse gas emission reduction commitments in the context of the Paris Agreement. The new U.S. Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) sets a goal of reducing emissions by 50-52 percent based on a 2005 baseline by 2030. The new NDC signals a return to U.S. leadership on climate change that will need to be matched with federal policies and programs that transition the United States to a resilient and equitable clean energy economy.
The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) invites you to view this briefing on everything you need to know about the new NDC. Experts discussed the new emissions reduction goal, why it matters, and how it can be used as a guide for domestic federal policy development and design. The briefing also explained how the U.S. NDC fits into the overall architecture of international efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase resilience to climate impacts.
Tracy Bach, Co-Focal Point, Research and Independent NGOs, United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change; Visiting Professor of Law, Washington University in St. Louis
Rachel Cleetus, Policy Director, Climate and Energy Program, Union of Concerned Scientists
Q&A Session
Is the U.S. NDC enough? What sorts of policies need to be implemented in the United States during the 117th Congress to make it enough? What is the role of other actors—private sector, NGOs, etc.?
Conversations usually center around carbon emissions. But there are also significant opportunities to reduce other greenhouse gas emissions—like methane and HFCs (hydrofluorocarbons). How is this addressed in the new U.S. NDC? What additional efforts are needed at the federal level to reduce non-carbon greenhouse gas emissions? In international negotiations, what is the status of current conversations on this topic?
What are the opportunities under the UNFCCC to advance climate adaptation work and how do they mesh with opportunities and work that needs to be done in the United States at the federal level?
In some instances, adaptation is not possible. This is now a routine conversation at international climate negotiations, and it is discussed under the framing of loss and damage. What should our audience know about loss and damage—what are the tough questions at hand? Is loss and damage an issue mostly for other countries or is it something we should also be thinking about in a domestic U.S. context?
The topic of international climate finance has been woven throughout our conversation. What is your takeaway message for our audience on U.S. re-engagement with international climate finance?
Highlights compiled by Jaxon Tolbert