Regarding the announcement of the new U.S. climate plan under the Paris Agreement, called the nationally determined contribution (NDC), Ashfaq Khalfan, Oxfam America’s Climate Justice Director, said:
“With a climate denier about to enter the White House, the Biden Administration’s new national climate plan represents the bare minimum floor for climate action. It falls far short of the U.S.’s fair share of emissions reduction as the world’s largest historical polluter. The plan ignores critical targets for phasing out fossil fuel production and fails to commit funds to help disadvantaged communities in the Global South to reduce carbon pollution, recover from climate harm, and protect themselves from future disasters.
“Oxfam urges Congress, states, cities, businesses, and civil society to do everything within their power to meet and exceed the targets in this plan, phase out fossil fuel production, and support climate justice in the Global South. Bold action at home will inspire confidence globally and send a powerful message that the U.S. will not abandon the fight for a livable and equitable future.”
/ENDS
Note to editors:
Two-thirds of the U.S. population and three quarters of the U.S. economy is in states and cities whose leaders are formally committed to the Paris Agreement. Strong action by them could reduce U.S. emissions 62% below 2005 levels by 2035, even with federal inactions or rollbacks.