The Biden administration plans to roll out executive orders and climate mandates that affect cars and trucks to achieve a 50% reduction in emissions by the end of the decade, according to Presidential Special Envoy for Climate John Kerry
During an interview with Yahoo News last week, Kerry spoke about President Biden’s plans, as well as lifestyle changes people may need to make to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050.
US Climate Envoy John Kerry attends the UN Conference on Climate Change (COP26) in Glasgow, Scotland, UK on November 12, 2021. (REUTERS/Yves Herman)
However, at the start of the interview, Kerry was asked about Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, or IRA, noting that it is only expected to achieve a 40% reduction in carbon emissions by the end of the decade, shy of about 10% of the president’s target.
CHINA LEADS MASSIVE EXPANSION OF COAL ENERGY DESPITE JOHN KERRY’S CLIMATE PRACTICES
“Well, we’re doing a lot more than just the IRA. The IRA is a package that can get the 40% on its own,” Kerry said. “But in addition to that, the president issues executive orders. There will be changes in cars, light trucks, heavy trucks, heavy trucks, a number of initiatives taken by states, sub-national cities,…”
He added that when the US pulled out of the Paris climate accord, the US still saw 75% of new energy coming online coming from renewable sources.
A woman takes a picture of a globe at the COP21, the United Nations climate conference on Monday, December 7, 2015 in Le Bourget, north of Paris. The Paris conference marks the 21st time world governments have come together to seek a common solution to climate change. The talks are aimed at reducing carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gas emissions, primarily by switching from oil, coal and gas to cleaner energy sources. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
“So we have a lot of other options, tools if you will, in the toolkit besides the IRA,” Kerry said.
JOHN KERRY’S SECRET CCP NEGOTIATIONS EXAMINED BY GOP SUPERVISORY CHAIR
The former presidential candidate also said achieving the goal is not contingent on federal government mandates, although it is critical. He explained that companies also have to do their part.
He gave the example of the aviation industry doing its part to meet a net-zero target for 2050 in two separate phases, or to reduce the emissions for which the industry is responsible.
Lawrence Ziehr, project manager for energy recovery on GM’s electric vehicles, connects a Hummer EV to a charging station, Wednesday, February 22, 2023, in Sault Ste. Mary, Mic. Some automakers and drivers fear that reduced battery range in the cold could limit the adoption of electric cars, trucks and buses, at a time when transport emissions need to plummet to tackle climate change. (AP Photo/Carlos Osorio)
“So a lot of things happen and no one can guarantee this,” said Kerry. “Right now we’re behind. I mean, we’re seriously behind.”
JOHN KERRY’S OFFICE CONSULTED LEFT-WING ENVIRONMENTAL GROUPS WHILE DEVELOPING POLICY, EMAILS APPEAR
As for electric vehicles, General Motors said that by 2035 it only plans to make vehicles that run on electricity.
Kerry was also asked about people who don’t want to change their lifestyle for things like switching from gas to electricity for cooking.
“Unless someone would be able to provide that without carbon intensity, I mean if you can do that. That’s not feasible today,” he said. “So yes, gas is going to be a serious challenge here at some point.”
“It would be like taking a coal plant offline and switching to gas. Yes, you lost the coal emissions, but generated gas emissions.”
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
“You also have to be able to reduce gas emissions,” he said. “That’s the challenge for the industry.”
Kerry’s camp did not immediately respond to questions about the interview and the future mandates of the Biden administrations.
In February, Biden faced fierce backlash when a regulatory plan emerged to ban most gas stoves.
Global Courant
