John Kerry, the US Special Envoy for Climate, is reportedly resigning from his position in the Biden administration soon, as stated by two individuals who are informed about his intentions.
Kerry, who has a background as a senator and former Secretary of State, was chosen for this new role shortly after Joe Biden was elected in November 2020, to address climate change issues globally on behalf of the administration.
He played a significant role in crafting the 2015 Paris climate agreements and brought a wealth of international experience to the position, having served as Secretary of State under Obama and as a long-term member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Biden’s appointment of Kerry was a part of his commitment to more aggressively and visibly combat climate change than previous administrations.
Kerry, during a visit to Beijing last summer, emphasized the global responsibility to urgently tackle the climate crisis.
He maintained a dynamic presence at international climate conferences, frequently meeting with world leaders, influential business figures, and scientists, and regularly holding press conferences to share new developments, announce initiatives, or support civil group actions against climate change.
Kerry’s schedule at these summits was intense. For example, he could discuss reducing methane emissions with oil companies, propose financial strategies for green energy in developing countries, and address illegal fishing issues, all within a single hour.
Former Vice President Al Gore praised Kerry’s dedicated and impactful efforts in addressing the climate crisis. However, Kerry’s approach has faced criticism for being overly focused on America’s interests.
Critics argue that the U.S.’s climate strategies, particularly the Inflation Reduction Act, which heavily invests in renewable energy, are more domestically oriented and could be seen as protectionist, potentially harming the green industries of other countries.
