U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate explained

Post:Special Presidential Envoy for
Climate of the
United States
Termlength:The Pleasure of the President
Status:Not Confirmed
Type:Special Presidential Envoy
Website:Executive Office of the President
Formation:January 20, 2021
Inaugural:John Kerry
Appointer:President of the United States
Insignia:Seal of the Executive Office of the President of the United States 2014.svg
Reports To:President of the United States
Member Of:United States National Security Council (NSC)
Department:Executive Office of the President
Incumbentsince:March 6, 2024
Incumbent:John Podesta
Insigniasize:167

The United States special presidential envoy for climate is a position in the Executive Office of the President of the United States with authority over energy policy and climate policy within the executive branch. It is currently held by John Podesta.

History

See also: Energy Czar. On November 23, 2020, President-elect Joe Biden announced former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, would serve as the Special Presidential Envoy for Climate and would be a member of the United States National Security Council (NSC).[1] [2]

The term "Climate Czar" has been used to informally describe Kerry's position. There had been one previous climate policy advisor in the White House, Carol Browner, who was director of the now-defunct White House Office of Energy and Climate Change Policy from 2009 to 2011.[3] In particular, the new position will be the first time that the NSC would have an official dedicated to climate change issues and to addressing the climate crisis as one affecting national security.[1]

On January 13, 2024, sources close to Kerry revealed that he would leave this position by the upcoming spring.[4] [5]

On January 31, 2024, it was announced that John Podesta will succeed John Kerry as envoy.[6]

Foreign visits

List of envoys

President
John KerryJanuary 20, 2021March 6, 2024Joe Biden
John PodestaMarch 6, 2024Incumbent

See also

Notes and References

  1. President-Elect Biden Announces Key Members of Foreign Policy and National Security Team . Former Secretary of State John Kerry will fight climate change full-time as Special Presidential Envoy for Climate and will sit on the National Security Council. This marks the first time that the NSC would include an official dedicated to climate change, reflecting the president-elect’s commitment to addressing climate change as an urgent national security issue. . 24 November 2020. 23 November 2020. en.
  2. Web site: Merica. Dan. Sullivan. Kate. December 15, 2020. Biden to name Gina McCarthy to top domestic climate job. 2020-12-17. CNN.
  3. News: Biden prioritizes climate crisis by naming John Kerry special envoy . Kate . Sullivan . CNN . November 24, 2020.
  4. News: John Kerry, the US climate envoy, to leave the Biden administration. Seun Min. Kim. Associated Press. January 13, 2024.
  5. News: John Kerry to step down as top U.S. climate change negotiator. Maxine. Joselow. Tyler. Pager. Washington Post. January 13, 2024. January 13, 2024.
  6. News: Joselow . Maxine . 2024-01-31 . John Podesta to succeed John Kerry as top U.S. climate diplomat . 2024-01-31 . Washington Post . en-US . 0190-8286.
  7. News: What's at Stake in U.S. Climate Envoy John Kerry's Trip to China. Time magazine. 2021-04-15.
  8. Web site: 2021-04-18. S.Korea, U.S. show differences over Japan's Fukushima plans. 2021-04-18. Reuters.
  9. News: Kerry upholds U.S.-China ‘stability’ in symbolic Beijing visit. 2023-07-18. CNBC. Cheng. Evelyn. https://web.archive.org/web/20230718130432/https://www.cnbc.com/2023/07/18/john-kerry-upholds-us-china-stability-in-symbolic-beijing-visit.html. 2023-07-18. 2023-07-18.
  10. News: Graham-Harrison . Emma . US climate envoy meets Chinese counterpart on hottest ever day in China . August 4, 2023 . The Guardian . July 17, 2023.