U.S. climate envoy John Kerry
John KerryOVERNIGHT ENERGY: Biden recommits US to Paris climate accord | Biden nixes Keystone XL permit, halts Arctic refuge leasing | Interior secretary rescinds wilderness protection order before leaving office Biden recommits US to Paris climate accord Biden faces tall order in uniting polarized nation MORE on Thursday vowed during an appearance at an Italian climate conference that the Biden administration would make up for the past four years of climate inaction under President Trump
Donald TrumpClinton, Bush, Obama reflect on peaceful transition of power on Biden’s Inauguration Day Arizona Republican’s brothers say he is ‘at least partially to blame’ for Capitol violence Biden reverses Trump’s freeze on .4 billion in funds MORE.
In his first international address since President Biden’s inauguration on Wednesday, Kerry thanked European nations for their efforts to combat climate change as the Trump administration largely stepped away from such endeavors, according to a report by the Associated Press.
On his first day in office, Biden signed an executive order to rejoin the Paris climate agreement. Former President Trump had pulled the U.S. from the deal, arguing it disadvantaged U.S. workers.
Kerry asserted that the U.S. would now be re-engaging in the fight against climate change, saying, “Failure is not an option.”
Biden also signed several climate-related executive orders, stopped the building of the Keystone XL pipeline and halted oil and gas leasing at an Alaska wild refuge. Biden’s decision to stop the Keystone pipeline drew the ire of Canadian government officials who are largely in favor of the project. It also brought criticism from congressional Republicans and some business groups.
In his inaugural address, Biden cited “a climate in crisis” as one of the many challenges he faces as he assumes office.
French president Emmanuel Macron
Emmanuel Jean-Michel MacronMacron to Biden and Harris: ‘Welcome back to the Paris Agreement!’ EU launches coronavirus vaccine campaign Macron now symptom-free after testing positive for COVID-19 MORE welcomed the U.S. back into the Paris Agreement on Wednesday following Biden and Harris’s inauguration.
In a tweet, Macron said, “We are together. We will be stronger to face the challenges of our time. Stronger to build our future. Stronger to protect our planet. Welcome back to the Paris Agreement!”
