Biden to sign executive orders on climate change

President Joe Biden on Wednesday is expected to sign several executive orders to tackle climate change and transition the country to a clean energy economy, the White House said on Wednesday.

Executive actions include establishing climate change as a national security priority, conserving at least 30% of federal land and oceans by 2030 and canceling new oil and gas leases on public land and waters, according to a review of orders released by the government.

Biden’s executive agenda will also focus on creating green jobs and union opportunities, as well as environmental justice for communities disproportionately impacted by climate change.

The government said that climate action will build a modern and sustainable infrastructure, while restoring the federal government’s scientific integrity. The orders follow the president’s agenda to cut carbon emissions from the electricity sector by 2035 and achieve zero net emissions by 2050.

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Biden, who worked at the White House with a historic number of climate experts, signed an order last week to bring the United States together in the Paris climate agreement, a historic agreement between nations to reduce their emissions. He also canceled the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline from Canada to the USA

The president plans to make comments and sign orders at 1:30 pm. Biden’s special climate envoy, John Kerry, and national climate adviser, Gina McCarthy, are expected to inform reporters about the government’s plans.

The Biden government will also convene the Climate Leaders’ Summit on April 22, which will bring together global leaders to discuss climate change issues. The encounter is likely to be remote during the coronavirus pandemic.