Clean energy advisor John Podesta will replace John Kerry as U.S. Climate Envoy, according to a report from The Washington Post.
The Post obtained a statement from Podesta during a phone interview, in which he said, “Secretary Kerry has put the U.S. back in leadership on climate around the world. And we’ll ensure that we keep up the momentum that has been built up through his efforts.”
Podesta currently oversees the implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act and previously served as former President Bill Clinton’s chief of staff, a counselor to former president Barak Obama, and was the chairman of Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential campaign.
In August 2023, Podesta stated during a press briefing,”[W]e have to cut the carbon pollution that’s driving the climate crisis, and that’s what the Inflation Reduction Act is all about.”
He also suggested that the majority of Americans support the Biden administration’s climate policy.
“But the science is clear. I think the public understands it,” he said. “And I think most importantly, across the political spectrum, they support the movement to cleaner forms of energy, cleaner forms of transportation, and the other processes that I mentioned — industrial processes, as well — because it has enormous benefits to the economy, to job creation, to business investment, and — and to public health.”
White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients said in a statement, “We need to keep meeting the gravity of this moment, and there is no one better than John Podesta to make sure we do.”
“Having served the three most recent Democratic Presidents over three decades, he is an American statesman, a fierce champion for bold climate action, and a leader who without a doubt the world will know has the trust of and speaks for the President of the United States,” Zients continued.
Outgoing Climate Envoy John Kerry announced last month that he would be stepping down to redirect his efforts to support Biden’s reelection campaign.
At the time of the announcement, a source familiar with the matter said Kerry believes that re-electing Biden is the “single biggest” difference that can be made to support efforts combatting climate change.
