Biden's new budget includes funds for climate change initiatives

President Joe Biden has proposed significant funding toward the United Nations Green Climate Fund in his latest budget plan.

Timothy Cama reports for E&E News.


In short:

  • Biden's fiscal 2025 budget aims to fulfill a pledge to the United Nations by proposing $500 million for the Green Climate Fund, with gradual increases up to $1 billion by 2028.
  • The proposal includes making these funds mandatory to ensure they are shielded from political fluctuations, highlighting the administration's commitment to international climate finance.
  • The plan is part of the President’s Emergency Plan for Adaptation and Resilience, targeting over half a billion people in developing countries to adapt to climate change impacts.

Key quote:

"This funding will unlock private capital that will enhance energy security by diversifying energy sources, help countries to reduce their emissions, enable the most vulnerable to adapt to climate change, and strengthen the resilience of their economies and critical infrastructure.”

— U.S. State Department

Why this matters:

President Biden's budgetary commitment underscores a significant U.S. re-engagement with global climate finance, signaling a shift toward more sustainable energy sources and resilience against climate change.

In 2021, Kartik Amaranth argued that methods of investing, lending, and risk assessment must change to prioritize equity.

A view of part of the Philadelphia skyline with the city hall building up front

Self-powered PA data centers could still raise bills, pollution

Advocates said the executive action is a positive step, but are calling on the General Assembly to do more.
Bright green tea plantation hills in Kerala

India: Assam tea industry faces climate-driven labor crisis

Plantations in Assam produce more than half of India's tea. But rising heat is hurting yields, workers are increasingly leaving for more stable work, and producers are feeling the squeeze of stagnant tea prices.
A rusty barrel with burning items in it, smoke billowing from the top

Bury, don't burn: The billion-dollar wildfire-climate fix

A new study finds that burying logging debris, instead of burning it, could store far more carbon and generate billions in revenue for forest-thinning projects.
A group of cheese and grapes on a wooden board

France to ease strict rules on iconic cheeses as heat dries pastures

France is temporarily relaxing strict production rules for several iconic cheeses as drought and record heat leave pastures severely depleted.

A view of a dock with giant spools of cable and cranes

Trump administration wants electricity from ocean waves, not wind

The first large site for testing wave energy technologies in the continental U.S. is open, after securing a key green-energy approval from the Trump administration.
A view of the interior of a car with three laughing people, one of whom is looking at a map

The great American road trip is in peril

My family set out to see the beauty of America’s national parks. Along the way, we saw how wildfire, flood, heat, and drought are changing them.
A view of a pond with many leaves floating on the surface

A Florida community aimed to address a legacy of pollution. The Trump administration cancelled its funding

Trump canceled a $15M EPA grant for Tampa’s University Area, halting pollution, flood-control and community projects.

From our Newsroom
Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

Multiple Houston-area oil and gas facilities that have violated pollution laws are seeking permit renewals

One facility has emitted cancer-causing chemicals into waterways at levels up to 520% higher than legal limits.

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

Regulators are underestimating health impacts from air pollution: Study

"The reality is, we are not exposed to one chemical at a time.”

Pennsylvania governor Josh Shapiro speaks with the state flag and American flag behind him.

Two years into his term, has Gov. Shapiro kept his promises to regulate Pennsylvania’s fracking industry?

A new report assesses the administration’s progress and makes new recommendations

silhouette of people holding hands by a lake at sunset

An open letter from EPA staff to the American public

“We cannot stand by and allow this to happen. We need to hold this administration accountable.”

wildfire retardants being sprayed by plane

New evidence links heavy metal pollution with wildfire retardants

“The chemical black box” that blankets wildfire-impacted areas is increasingly under scrutiny.

Stay informed: sign up for The Daily Climate newsletter
Top news on climate impacts, solutions, politics, drivers. Delivered to your inbox week days.