ESG Foreign Policy in the United States Under the Biden Administration
(As of April 2025)
After the first Trump administration, during which the United States retreated from global climate policy, the Biden administration enacted an ambitious climate-related foreign policy agenda.
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On Jan 20, 2021, President Biden recommitted the U.S. to the Paris Climate Agreement, reversing the previous administration’s withdrawal. The US formally rejoined on Feb 19, 2021.
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In April 2021, President Biden established an ambitious national target to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 50% to 52% below 2005 levels by 2030, which was later formalized in an updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement.
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At COP26 in Glasgow (2021), the U.S. and EU spearheaded the Global Methane Pledge, aiming to cut global methane emissions by 30% by 2030. Over 100 countries joined this initiative, recognizing methane’s significant impact on global warming.
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The U.S. ratified the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol in 2022, committing to phase down hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), potent greenhouse gases used in refrigeration and air conditioning.
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Appointed John Kerry as Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, tasked with leading global climate diplomacy and rallying international commitments.