John Kerry, former Secretary of State and Democratic presidential candidate who oversaw US negotiations at three global climate summits, will step down either in late winter or early spring according to sources familiar with his plans, people familiar with his plans tell NBC News. Kerry is expected to focus his energies on helping Vice President Joe Biden win reelection.
He has played an essential part in creating international agreements to combat climate change and facilitate the shift away from fossil fuels, the source of most warming globally.
Climate Change
Kerry was a former senator from Massachusetts who for years has fought tirelessly for US leadership at global climate negotiations. He helped draft the 2015 Paris climate accords which aim to limit temperature rise from fossil fuel emissions. More recently he played a key role in reaching the UAE Consensus which encourages nations to transition away from fossil fuels – this commitment was reached during last month’s COP28 summit held in Dubai.
He also led efforts to strengthen US positions at multilateral talks, forging relationships with China’s negotiator and forging alliances between rich nations that pledged $100 billion per year in 2009 for helping developing nations cope with climate change effects and install renewable energy, according to experts.
His appointment as special envoy marked the first time any US official was given responsibility to address climate impacts on vulnerable nations such as small island states and low-lying areas. Kerry will step down this winter in order to assist Biden’s campaign, according to sources quoted by Axios.
Energy
Kerry was appointed by President Trump as his special envoy for climate shortly after he won election and began building his team shortly thereafter. Long involved with this issue as senator and secretary of state, Kerry brought with him extensive international experience into this position – working to establish the US as a leader in international climate talks, encouraging allied nations to step up pledges to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while forging strong relationships with key climate negotiator like China’s Xie Zhenhua.
At COP28, an international climate summit held recently in Dubai, Kerry helped forge consensus around transitioning away from fossil fuels – which are widely held to blame for increasing temperatures.
Sources familiar with Kerry’s plans indicated he will leave either this winter or spring and assist Biden’s reelection campaign, speaking anonymously because they weren’t authorized to discuss publicly their intentions.
Agriculture
Kerry played a pivotal role in brokering a climate change agreement that called upon nations to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in order to ward off deadly storms, heatwaves and floods. Additionally, Kerry spearheaded efforts towards the establishment of a loss and damage fund that would assist poor countries cope with climate-change-induced impacts.
At 81 years old and former Democratic presidential nominee in 2004 for Massachusetts, Edward Kennedy has been at the forefront of climate diplomacy since 2014. Leading US delegations at international talks while pushing for greater commitments from major polluters such as China and India to reduce carbon emissions.
At a global summit in Dubai last year, Kerry helped secure an agreement for rich nations to assist poor countries transition away from fossil fuels and transition towards renewables. Furthermore, Kerry was key in convincing Russia’s government to sign an important nuclear arms treaty with the U.S. Axios reported Kerry plans on leaving his post by later this winter.
Water
Kerry recently took steps to strengthen cooperation between China, which is the world’s highest carbon emitter, and Kerry-led international climate talks ahead of last month’s COP28 summit in Poland.
Kerry was widely hailed for helping restore US leadership on climate issues following Republican former President Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris Climate Accord in 2021. Kerry, 80 years old at that point, served as senator from Massachusetts for 28 years before running unsuccessfully for president against George W. Bush in 2004.
As United States diplomat, he was frequently called upon to explain complex and technical matters such as why oil companies must drastically cut emissions of methane gas, which has far greater warming potential than carbon dioxide. A veteran of Vietnam War who earned three Purple Hearts. His appointment as special envoy did not require Senate confirmation and will continue working full time until his departure date which is anticipated between late February and April.
To know more about recent developments, visit our Alts news website. Thankyou!
- Friday Intraday Trading Sees Nvidia’s stock Market Cap Momentarily Cross $2 Trillion
- Trump’s January 6 Civil Cases Proceed While Criminal Case Is Halted
- Trump Delivers Speech at the Columbia Black Conservative Federation Gala
- Trump Declares Strong Support for IVF Following Alabama Supreme Court Decision
- Schumer in Ukraine Declares US Backing During House Aid Standoff
