The return to the Paris Agreement is a significant step by the Biden government to reverse the climate policies of the past four years, during which Trump has reversed or loosened many of the country’s fundamental environmental policies and regulations.
“Now, however important our adherence to the Agreement was in 2016 – and as important as our return today – what we will do in the coming weeks, months and years is even more important,” added Blinken in a statement.
Under the agreement, countries must increase their commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions every five years. The objectives of the global pact are to limit global warming to well below 2 ° C and to seek efforts to limit it to 1.5 ° C.
Under the Obama administration, the United States has pledged to reduce carbon emissions by 26% -28% below 2005 levels by 2025.
2020 should be the next milestone for nations to increase their greenhouse gas emissions pledges, but the Covid-19 pandemic has postponed climate negotiations to November in Glasgow, Scotland.
Biden plans to host a climate summit of world leaders on Earth Day, April 22, where he will launch the United States’ goal of reducing carbon emissions by 2030 – known as the nationally determined contribution under the Paris agreement.
This story has been updated.
Michael Callahan of CNN contributed to this report.