WASHINGTON: President Joe Biden has picked senior adviser John Podesta to replace John Kerry as the top US climate envoy, the White House announced on Thursday.
Last month, Kerry said he would be quitting the position to work on Biden’s 2024 re-election campaign.
National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said in a statement that as Podesta assumes his new role, John Kerry will bring both a deep understanding and a proven model for how nations around the world can enhance their ambition while unlocking a new era of inclusive, clean, and resilient economic growth, according to US media.
He said that Kerry’s efforts and experience will be critical as nations around the world develop their next round of enhanced emissions targets, which are due early 2025, as well as work to build out the international clean-energy supply chains necessary for achieving the shared climate goals.
Last week, Biden also announced he would pause new approvals on projects for liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports, a move welcomed by climate activists.
Podesta’s Role in Climate Talks with China
Podesta played a key role in climate negotiations with China in 2014, in which the two nations pledged to reduce their output of greenhouse gases.
Kerry said in a statement that Podesta will bring important expertise to the work ahead, especially with respect to the down-to-earth challenges of implementing COP28.
Currently, Podesta is overseeing the implementation of Biden’s landmark climate bill, the Inflation Reduction Act, which offers tax incentives on renewables such as solar, wind, and hydropower.
