US President Joe Biden on Wednesday formally announced America’s return to the Paris Climate Accord, in a move aimed at restoring US leadership in fighting global warming. Washington officially left the international climate agreement in November 2020 after former President Trump announced the move in June 2017. The move is part of Biden’s green agenda, which also includes cutting US carbon emissions to net-zero by 2050.
Wednesday’s announcement also included a sweeping order to review Trump’s actions weakening environmental protection, revocation of Keystone XL pipeline permit, and a moratorium on oil and gas leasing activities in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. This order will mark a major policy change after the previous administration rescinded environmental regulation to maximize fossil fuel production.
Biden’s move in his first day in the US presidential office drew criticism from fossil fuel companies. The American Petroleum Institute said canceling KXL was a step backward, which could hamper America’s energy security, economic recovery, and job creation. The move also marks the first bump in the country’s relationships with Canada, one of its most important allies.
