US President Joe Biden holds up a face mask as he speaks about the fight over the coronavirus disease pandemic (COVID-19) at the White House in Washington, January 26, 2021.
Kevin Lamarque | Reuters
President Joe Biden will sign several executive orders on Wednesday to address climate change and transition the country to a clean energy economy, the White House said Wednesday.
The executive actions include establishing climate change as a national security priority, preserving 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 the orders released by the administration.
Biden’s executive agenda will also focus on creating green jobs and union opportunities, as well as environmental justice for communities disproportionately affected by climate change.
The administration said the climate action will build modern and sustainable infrastructure while restoring scientific integrity within the federal government. The orders further the president’s agenda to reduce carbon emissions from the electricity sector by 2035 and achieve net zero emissions by 2050.
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Biden, who has staffed the White House with a historic number of climate experts, last week signed an order to rejoin the Paris climate agreement, a landmark agreement between countries to curb their emissions. He also canceled construction of the Keystone XL pipeline from Canada to the US.
The president plans to comment at 1:30 p.m. and sign the orders. Biden’s special climate envoy John Kerry and national climate adviser Gina McCarthy will inform reporters of the government’s plans.
The Biden administration will also convene the Climate Leaders’ Summit on April 22, where world leaders will gather to discuss climate change issues. The summit will likely be remote during the coronavirus pandemic.