Biden’s drop in the ocean

US President’s climate pledges ‘fall short’

US President Joe Biden’s climate pledges at COP27 are only a fraction of what is needed, says an expert.

Mr Biden told the climate summit in Sharm el-Sheikh that the US would introduce new regulations as “cutting methane by at least 30% by 2030 can be our best chance to keep in reach of the 1.5C target”.

He announced $100million for climate adaptation and an Inflation Reduction Act.

A new Climate Bill will “unleash a new era of clean energy and economic growth”, the President also claimed.

But Tim Benton, director of Londonbased policy institute Chatham House, said: “Biden’s initiative has some good investments that whilst welcome – and every little helps – are a drop in the ocean of requirements. The issue of methane from agriculture seems conspicuously absent still from the methane pledges.

“As agricultural emissions of methane are the same scale of emissions from fuel production, it remains an omission.”

Mr Biden had told COP delegates the world faces a “pivotal moment” in the climate crisis. He apologised for his country pulling out of the Paris Agreement under predecessor Donald Trump and blamed Russia for recent energy cost rises.

The President added: “Against this backdrop it’s more important than ever to double down on our climate commitments.

“A planet preserved, a more equitable, prosperous world for our children, that is why we are here. I’m confident we can do it.”

Biden’s initiative has good elements.. every little helps

TIM BENTON DIRECTOR OF CHATHAM HOUSE