The US defends its oil and gas expansion despite climate finance promises
The Biden administration promises to lead global climate finance efforts, yet faces criticism for expanding oil and gas production amid its climate goals.
Fiona Harvey reports for The Guardian.
In short:
- The US promises to lead in climate finance but does not specify the amount to be provided to poorer countries.
- John Podesta, Biden’s top climate official, supports the expansion of US oil and gas production due to the high demand for non-Russian energy sources.
- Podesta highlights the stark contrast between Biden and Trump on climate commitments and the need for other major economies to contribute more.
Key quote:
"The US is now the number one producer of oil and gas in the world, the number one exporter of natural gas, and that’s a good thing."
— John Podesta, senior adviser to Joe Biden on international climate policy
Why this matters:
The U.S. continues to expand its fossil fuel infrastructure. New oil and gas projects, including pipelines and drilling operations, are moving forward, driven by economic interests and energy security concerns. This expansion poses a significant challenge to meeting climate targets, as fossil fuels remain the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions.
