Sierra Club Statement On Biden Executive Order To Tackle The Climate Crisis Abroad

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Today, President Biden will sign an Executive Order to center the climate crisis in U.S. foreign policy and national security for the first time. Included in the order is a call for the U.S. to build on its commitment to the Paris Agreement, including starting the process of developing the United States’ new Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) for the Agreement, to be announced before Earth Day. The order also reaffirms President Biden’s commitment to decarbonize the U.S. power sector by 2035, achieve a net-zero economy by 2050, begins the process of ratifying the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, will convene world leaders on climate on Earth Day 2021, and directs all federal agencies to integrate climate considerations into their international work. The Administration is also announcing the development of a new plan aimed at ending all international financing of fossil fuel projects with public money. 

In response, Cherelle Blazer, Senior Director of the Sierra Club’s International Climate and Policy Campaign, issued the following statement:

“The Sierra Club applauds President Biden’s recognition that justice and equity must be centered in our effort -- at home and abroad -- to address the climate crisis. The return of U.S. leadership in this space will set the example for how all countries need to center environmental and economic justice in their response to this global crisis. The Sierra Club is eager to support ambitious climate action that will set a strong Nationally Determined Contribution, accelerate the global coal phase out, and end all public finance of fossil fuel projects, monumental and necessary steps in the right direction.”