How’s Biden Doing on the Climate Crisis?
Earthjustice’s attorneys and policy experts rated his administration's progress.
(Samantha Lee / Earthjustice)
January 20, 2023
President Biden has made bold commitments on climate and environmental justice. Halfway through his first term, we’re holding him and his administration accountable for keeping those promises. Earthjustice’s attorneys and policy experts rated Biden’s progress on goals that the U.S. must achieve — and soon — if we want to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. The verdict: Though there are reasons to celebrate, the president still has much work to do in his first term.
Check out the scorecard below to see the policy areas where Biden is already moving us toward a just and sustainable future — and the ones where his administration needs a push.
Climate Goal |
Rating |
|---|---|
Accelerate the transition away from fossil fuels |
Little / No progress |
| End new oil and gas leasing and reject coal lease renewals on federal land |  |
| Stop a massive fossil fuel infrastructure buildout, including exports and pipelines | |
| Protect the Arctic from drilling |  |
| Stop taxpayer dollars from going to fossil fuel lifelines like petrochemicals, carbon capture, and dirty hydrogen | |
| Regulate energy intensive industries like proof-of-work cryptocurrency mining | |
Move towards zero-emissions and 100% clean energy |
Some progress |
| Invest big in clean energy and electrification |  |
| Accelerate transmission infrastructure in an equitable way | |
| Fill the vacancy at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission | |
| Secure strong energy efficiency standards | |
| Electrify the U.S. Postal Service | |
Advance just and equitable climate solutions |
Some progress |
| Direct 40% of climate investment benefits to the communities most impacted by pollution | |
| Make sure frontline communities have a say in projects that impact their health and well-being | |
| Defend Tribal sovereignty, respect treaty rights, and improve consultation | |
Change the way we use land to be a part of the solution |
Some progress |
| Protect forests that absorb climate pollution | |
| Invest in climate-friendly agriculture resources for farmers | |
| Ensure bioenergy initiatives provide real climate benefits | |
Strengthen health and environmental protections |
Some progress |
| Clean up coal ash | |
| Strengthen methane pollution standards for the oil and gas industry | |
| Strengthen soot and smog pollution standards | |
| Cut carbon and hazardous air pollution from power plants | |