President Biden’s 2020–2050 climate change plans and how this will affect the UK
Joe Biden’s climate change plan has sparked debates in recent months as it is both aggressive and ambitious. To summarize, his plan is to place a two trillion budget in hopes to achieve net-zero by 2050. This included actionable and realistic deadlines, however, the speed at which he tackles it will depend on whether he controls the US senate (the rough equivalent of the UK Houses of Parliament) or not during his reign.
Here is what we know so far, and how it can affect the UK’s environmental and sourcing systems.
1. Pressure from the activists
Climate-change campaign efforts reached their peak in recent years and putting pressure on Biden as Trump’s main competitor is one of the strategies. In particular, The Sunrise Movement- a youth-led climate group, has been urging the now-president to abide by his electoral promises. According to, Varshini Prakash, co-founder of the group: “We will have to see if Joe Biden is true to his word when he says that climate change is his number one issue but rest assured the movement will be there to remind him every moment of the way,”
2. A two trillion budget to achieve net zero by 2050
What is net zero: net zero refers to achieving an overall balance between emissions produced and emissions taken out of the atmosphere. This can be done through lessening Co2 emission, using carbon capture technologies, and planting more trees to absorb the CO2 in the atmosphere through photosynthesis — afforestation, and reforestation.
Unlike the Trump administration, Biden believes that the climate crisis is an “existential threat” to our planet. His administration has outlined the $2tn plan to decarbonize the electricity sector and create millions of jobs in clean energy. The plan is structured around two truths that Biden outlined: 1. That the US urgently needs to embrace greater ambition on an epic scale to meet the scope of this challenge and that 2. Environment and economy are completely and totally connected- to boost one would be to pay attention to both.
Biden also plans to rejoin the Paris Agreement that he and Obama signed together, as well as push countries to increase the ambitions of their climate targets. Public companies would be pushed to disclose climate risks and greenhouse gas emissions in their operations. Lastly, Biden also wants the insurance industry to lower premiums in communities that invest in climate resilience.
3. How realistic is Biden’s plan?
With the 2T budget, the public is curious about the actions towards fulfilling the net zero goal. Biden plans to use the money and make investments in various industries including infrastructure, the auto-industry, transit, power sector, buildings, housing, innovation, environmental justice, etc.
Achieving net-zero standards for 4 million new buildings
For US-made buses to have zero emissions
250,000 jobs in mines and oil wells
Spurring the construction of 1.5 million sustainable homes and housing units
Creating good, union, middle-class jobs in communities left behind, righting wrongs in communities that bear the brunt of pollution
According to Biden, he would “demand” that Congress enact legislation to set enforcement mechanisms for reaching zero emissions in his first year. This is not as straightforward as it seems as legislations need to go through the senate, which is not under Biden’s control. In fact, according to Inews, “if Republicans hold onto their majority, Biden’s plans for decarbonising the US power industry or channeling billions of dollars of funding into climate action seem fanciful”.
4. How this will affect the UK
Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Joe Biden have built a strong relationship already from the previous years, so a progressive collaboration when tackling climate-change is expected.
Recently, Johnson invited Biden to join the COP26 UN climate summit in November 2021. This is a global summit which discusses how each country can better themselves in all aspects of the environment and it includes at least 200 world leaders.
In a tweet, the Prime Minister added: “I look forward to strengthening the partnership between our countries and to working with him on our shared priorities — from tackling climate change, to promoting democracy and building back better from the pandemic.” Politico also mentioned that Biden’s reign is important as is it a chance for the UK to show “real partnership” and deliver results when driving success to the COP26.
Below is a useful video summarising Biden’s in-depth climate plan:
Do you think Biden is able to reach net-zero by 2050? Like Share Comment below
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