Unclear stance on future climate strategy revealed by Harris-Walz duo post-Biden administration

The Harris-Walz candidacy, recently catapulted to the forefront of the Democratic Party, presents an opportunity to make substantial headway in addressing the climate crisis. However, a close inspection of Kamala Harris's month-long initiation shows infrequent mentioning of the issue.

In the absence of specific, detailed climate policy proposals from groups like the Green New Deal Network, Lawyers for Good Government, or Climate Vision directed at Harris and Tim Walz upon taking office, the climate community is brimming with ideas.

The Heatmap investigation divides these proposals into three categories: staying the Biden course, reaching beyond the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), or coming up with something completely new.

The first path focuses on the improvement and implementation of the IRA. This includes expediting the buildout of renewables, streamlining permitting processes, and providing assistance to communities overwhelmed by the rollout of renewables and clean tech as prescribed in the IRA.

The second route involves amplifying the Biden agenda, as the US is not on track to meet its self-set goal of slashing greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030. This includes expanding the IRA and other climate measures, investing in high-impact sectors, providing more EPA Climate Pollution Reduction Grants, and increasing resources for the states to make the US a global leader in climate protection.

Some climate advocates suggest that the Democrats' soft pedaling of the issue was conscious and strategic. Saul Levin, the political director of the Green New Deal Network, raises the question of whether the Harris-Walz candidacy will just ride the coattails of the IRA or put forward a new, bold vision for climate protection.

Jillian Blanchard of Lawyers for Good Government's climate change programme suggests the need for more tangible policies such as federal funding for community engagement specialists or liaisons, and paying for the time of community leaders to provide local governments with key information on where communities in need are located and what they require.

Adrian Deveny, founder of the decarbonization strategy group Climate Vision, emphasizes the need to think beyond the 2030 goal and consider 2035 for more ambitious emissions reductions.

Meanwhile, Tim Walz, as Minnesota governor, passed dozens of initiatives that promoted clean energy and transportation, air and water quality, and environmental justice. Deb Haaland, a potential Democrat, made the case for climate protection and promised to 'fight for a future where we all have clean air, clean water, and healthy communities.'

President Biden has already taken significant steps towards global climate policy, announcing a US$500-billion spending programme for climate action in 2022. The Biden-administration spending has created 330,000 new jobs in the US.

It remains to be seen how the Harris-Walz administration will approach climate protection. But one thing is certain: groups like the Green New Deal Network, Lawyers for Good Government, and Climate Vision are already thinking ahead and developing detailed policy proposals that the Harris-Walz administration can implement once it takes office to make significant progress on climate protection.

Please note: The views and opinions in this article do not necessarily reflect those of the Heinrich-Böll-Stiftung European Union.

Unclear stance on future climate strategy revealed by Harris-Walz duo post-Biden administration