From b16208bfd031b87b5def0889afe971c23d80bbf1 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: "github-actions[bot]" Date: Wed, 13 Nov 2024 00:44:54 +0000 Subject: [PATCH] Update at Wed Nov 13 00:44:54 UTC 2024 --- rss.xml | 70 +- ...-celebrating-culinary-arts-in-diplomacy.md | 97 +++ ...tion-at-the-29th-u-n-climate-change-con.md | 746 ++++++++++++++++++ 3 files changed, 878 insertions(+), 35 deletions(-) create mode 100644 speeches-remarks/2024-11/2024-11-12-remarks-as-prepared-for-delivery-by-first-lady-jill-biden-at-a-reception-celebrating-culinary-arts-in-diplomacy.md create mode 100644 statements-releases/2024-11/2024-11-12-fact-sheet-biden-%e2%81%a0harris-administration-leverages-historic-u-s-climate-leadership-at-home-and-abroad-to-urge-countries-to-accelerate-global-climate-action-at-the-29th-u-n-climate-change-con.md diff --git a/rss.xml b/rss.xml index 7184e16e5..74f209801 100644 --- a/rss.xml +++ b/rss.xml @@ -8,11 +8,45 @@ The White House Briefing Room - Tue, 12 Nov 2024 15:55:20 -0500 + Tue, 12 Nov 2024 18:52:05 -0500 https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/ + + + FACT SHEET: Biden-⁠Harris Administration Leverages Historic U.S. Climate Leadership at Home and Abroad to Urge Countries to Accelerate Global Climate Action at the 29th U.N. Climate Change Conference (COP29) + + + https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/11/12/fact-sheet-biden-%e2%81%a0harris-administration-leverages-historic-u-s-climate-leadership-at-home-and-abroad-to-urge-countries-to-accelerate-global-climate-action-at-the-29th-u-n-climate-change-con/ + + + Tue, 12 Nov 2024 18:52:05 -0500 + + + https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/11/12/fact-sheet-biden-%e2%81%a0harris-administration-leverages-historic-u-s-climate-leadership-at-home-and-abroad-to-urge-countries-to-accelerate-global-climate-action-at-the-29th-u-n-climate-change-con/ + + + statements-releases + + + + + Remarks as Prepared for Delivery by First Lady Jill Biden at a Reception Celebrating Culinary Arts in Diplomacy + + + https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2024/11/12/remarks-as-prepared-for-delivery-by-first-lady-jill-biden-at-a-reception-celebrating-culinary-arts-in-diplomacy/ + + + Tue, 12 Nov 2024 18:07:52 -0500 + + + https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2024/11/12/remarks-as-prepared-for-delivery-by-first-lady-jill-biden-at-a-reception-celebrating-culinary-arts-in-diplomacy/ + + + speeches-remarks + + Remarks by President Biden and President Prabowo Subianto of Indonesia Before Bilateral Meeting @@ -489,39 +523,5 @@ speeches-remarks </category> </item> - <item> - <title> - Remarks by Vice President Harris at a Campaign Event | Pittsburgh, PA - - - https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2024/11/04/remarks-by-vice-president-harris-at-a-campaign-event-pittsburgh-pa-2/ - - - Mon, 04 Nov 2024 23:59:00 -0500 - - - https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2024/11/04/remarks-by-vice-president-harris-at-a-campaign-event-pittsburgh-pa-2/ - - - speeches-remarks - - - - - Remarks by Vice President Harris to Overflow Crowd at a Campaign Event | Allentown, PA - - - https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2024/11/04/remarks-by-vice-president-harris-to-overflow-crowd-at-a-campaign-event-allentown-pa/ - - - Mon, 04 Nov 2024 23:59:00 -0500 - - - https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2024/11/04/remarks-by-vice-president-harris-to-overflow-crowd-at-a-campaign-event-allentown-pa/ - - - speeches-remarks - - diff --git a/speeches-remarks/2024-11/2024-11-12-remarks-as-prepared-for-delivery-by-first-lady-jill-biden-at-a-reception-celebrating-culinary-arts-in-diplomacy.md b/speeches-remarks/2024-11/2024-11-12-remarks-as-prepared-for-delivery-by-first-lady-jill-biden-at-a-reception-celebrating-culinary-arts-in-diplomacy.md new file mode 100644 index 000000000..4dff82c92 --- /dev/null +++ b/speeches-remarks/2024-11/2024-11-12-remarks-as-prepared-for-delivery-by-first-lady-jill-biden-at-a-reception-celebrating-culinary-arts-in-diplomacy.md @@ -0,0 +1,97 @@ +--- +date: '2024-11-12' +published_time: 2024-11-12 18:07:52-05:00 +source_url: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/speeches-remarks/2024/11/12/remarks-as-prepared-for-delivery-by-first-lady-jill-biden-at-a-reception-celebrating-culinary-arts-in-diplomacy/ +tags: speeches-remarks +title: "Remarks as Prepared for Delivery by First Lady Jill\_Biden at a Reception\ + \ Celebrating Culinary Arts in\_Diplomacy" +--- + +The East Room + +Thank you, Clare. You and everyone at the Foundation are continuing +James Beard’s legacy—bringing incredible food to more people and +celebrating the chefs who make it.  + +Ethan—you’ve been an incredible leader, not just in these last few years +at the State Department, but over your three decades of service. As +anyone who’s met you knows—and as we all just saw—you light up every +room you walk into and you bring us joy. Joe and I are so grateful for +your friendship. + +And I know we have so many other friends here—people like Robert Irvine +who has brought comfort to so many military families.  + +Welcome to the White House! + +Food is love. + +It’s my sisters and me bursting into our grandmom’s house in South +Jersey every Sunday as pots of sauce simmered on her stove. It’s my +mother always putting fresh flowers on the table, even if we were just +eating frozen fish sticks. It’s my Italian American family teaching me +to never waste an opportunity to invite more people to the table. + +When we share a meal—that love fills the air around us and opens our +hearts to friendships old and new. That’s true in the United States—and +it’s true around the world. It’s the gift chefs, like the ones here +today, give us. + +Just a few weeks ago, I saw that gift unfold while working with José +Andrés, Katie Button, and other chefs in Asheville, North Carolina. They +cooked for thousands trying to rebuild after the hurricane that swept +through their community. We stirred giant pots and handed out meals, and +I watched as the food gave people hope. + +Even amid devastation, they had a reason to feel a little less alone, to +know their community was there for them—because they had a meal—made +with love. + +That connection is what diplomacy is about as well. It’s not only +government-to-government relationships. It’s people to people. Heart to +heart.  + +I’ve seen that these last four years at the White House. With every +State Dinner, with every reception, with the James Beard curated chefs +who helped us bring first spouses together during the UN General +Assembly. In those moments, food helps us tell the stories of our +countries—in all their flavors and notes. + +I’m so happy to welcome back our incredible former White House Executive +Chef, Cris Comerford. You have helped so many first families weave +together diplomacy and food. Joe and I are so grateful that we got to be +a part of your time here. + +Cris once said about cooking, “In America, we play Jazz.” + +That’s what our American Culinary Corps does in their kitchens. You show +the world who we are as Americans, in all our precious differences and +infinite similarities. You innovate and improvise. You discover new +rhythms and perfect your own special techniques, bringing together the +cultures and communities that make this country great. + +In some ways, that’s what the Diplomatic Corps does too. You bring to +our shores pieces of your homes—your favorite traditions, the history +and hope of your nations – and, of course, the foods that hold the +memories of generations past. + +As you work across borders and oceans, those pieces join to make +something new—something that can only happen when we understand each +other, opening up the possibilities of the world. And in those moments +of wonder, we find the common ground on which our future can be built. + +It’s been the honor of my lifetime to serve as First Lady and do that +work alongside you. + +As Joe and I begin our final months here, I know we will see so many of +you again as we continue to build our tomorrows together.   + +With all of my heart, and on behalf of my husband, thank you for helping +us reach toward the safe and peaceful world we all dream of. And let us +keep coming together, side by side at our shared table, with +understanding and open hearts, savoring every moment and all the love +they hold. + +Thank you. + +\### diff --git a/statements-releases/2024-11/2024-11-12-fact-sheet-biden-%e2%81%a0harris-administration-leverages-historic-u-s-climate-leadership-at-home-and-abroad-to-urge-countries-to-accelerate-global-climate-action-at-the-29th-u-n-climate-change-con.md b/statements-releases/2024-11/2024-11-12-fact-sheet-biden-%e2%81%a0harris-administration-leverages-historic-u-s-climate-leadership-at-home-and-abroad-to-urge-countries-to-accelerate-global-climate-action-at-the-29th-u-n-climate-change-con.md new file mode 100644 index 000000000..7281c92c2 --- /dev/null +++ b/statements-releases/2024-11/2024-11-12-fact-sheet-biden-%e2%81%a0harris-administration-leverages-historic-u-s-climate-leadership-at-home-and-abroad-to-urge-countries-to-accelerate-global-climate-action-at-the-29th-u-n-climate-change-con.md @@ -0,0 +1,746 @@ +--- +date: '2024-11-12' +modified_time: 2024-11-12 18:52:06-05:00 +published_time: 2024-11-12 18:52:05-05:00 +source_url: https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/11/12/fact-sheet-biden-%e2%81%a0harris-administration-leverages-historic-u-s-climate-leadership-at-home-and-abroad-to-urge-countries-to-accelerate-global-climate-action-at-the-29th-u-n-climate-change-con/ +tags: statements-releases +title: "FACT SHEET: Biden-\u2060Harris Administration Leverages Historic U.S. Climate\ + \ Leadership at Home and Abroad to Urge Countries to Accelerate Global Climate Action\ + \ at the 29th U.N. Climate Change Conference\_(COP29)" +--- + +**FACT SHEET: Biden-⁠Harris Administration Leverages +Historic U.S. Climate Leadership at Home and Abroad to Urge Countries to +Accelerate Global Climate Action at the 29th U.N. Climate +Change Conference (COP29)** + +Since Day One, President Biden has treated climate change as not only +one of the greatest challenges of our time, but also as a +once-in-a-generation opportunity to unleash a new era of economic +growth, good-paying union jobs, historic investment, and energy +security. The United States heads into the 29th U.N. Climate Change +Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan with a four-year record of +spearheading the most significant climate action in history at home and +leading efforts to tackle the climate crisis abroad.  At COP29, the +Biden-Harris Administration will highlight global economic opportunities +afforded by accelerating climate action in this decisive decade and will +announce new initiatives to galvanize global efforts to keep a +resilient, 1.5°C future within reach. + +At home, actions like the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) – the largest +ever investment by any country in clean energy and climate action – and +Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) have unleashed an unprecedented wave +of investment and ignited a clean manufacturing boom.  These actions +have stimulated over $450 billion in announced private investment in +clean energy manufacturing and deployment since the start of the +Biden-Harris Administration and created over 330,000 clean energy jobs +in just over two years, with an additional 1.5 million jobs projected to +be created over the next decade.  Hard-hit communities are reaping the +biggest economic benefits – since the IRA passed, 75% of private clean +energy investments have occurred in counties with lower than median +household incomes, and clean energy investment in energy communities has +doubled. This government-enabled, private-sector led approach, +complemented by increased action from state and local governments, has +set the United States on a path to achieve our 1.5°C-aligned emissions +target under the Paris Agreement.  And historic investments in climate +and disaster resilience are making communities across the country safer +and stronger in the face of extreme weather events, which we know are +getting more frequent and more dangerous because of climate change. + +The investments the United States is making at home are catalyzing +progress abroad, lowering the cost of clean energy for everyone and +saving hundreds of billions of dollars globally.  The IRA is projected +to produce more than $5 trillion in global economic benefits from +reduced climate pollution between now and 2050.  Over the next seven +years, according to analysis from the Department of Energy (DOE), twice +as much U.S. wind, solar, and battery deployment is expected than would +have been without the IRA.  This progress complements U.S. efforts to +rally other countries to accelerate the clean energy transition and +enhance their climate ambition. + +At COP29, the U.S. delegation will promote U.S. efforts to seize the +economic opportunities of the clean energy transition, address the risks +climate change [poses to our national +security](https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/press-briefings/2024/09/20/a-u-s-framework-for-climate-resilience-and-security/?), +and accelerate climate action in this decisive decade.  Key +announcements include: + +- **Powering Forward with Ambitious Domestic Climate Action** – by + announcing the finalization of a new rule to reduce economically + wasteful methane emissions; establishing new, bold targets for + expanding U.S. nuclear energy capacity and releasing a framework to + achieve them; and highlighting new actions to unlock potential for a + new source of clean baseload power: enhanced geothermal. + +- **Accelerating Global Climate Action to Keep the 1.5°C Goal Within + Reach** – by [driving progress on reducing + methane](https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/US-Methane-Action-Plan-2024-Update.pdf) + and other high-impact non-carbon dioxide (CO2) greenhouse + gas (GHG) emissions (“super pollutants”) at a COP29 Summit on + Methane and Non-CO2 GHGs alongside China and Azerbaijan and + announc**ing** new efforts to implement **the over** $1 billion in + grant funding unveiled at COP28 as part of the Methane Finance + Sprint; by announcing new members of the Carbon Management Challenge + that President Biden launched in 2023; and by announcing new + investments and initiatives to help partners transition away from + unabated coal, deploy renewables, and reduce emissions in + hard-to-abate sectors. + + + +- **Mobilizing Finance at Scale** – including by scaling up U.S. + international climate finance for developing countries from $1.5 + billion in FY21 to $9.5 billion in FY23, a more than sixfold + increase that was enabled by record-high levels of investment across + the USG, including the U.S. International Development Finance + Corporation (DFC) and the Export-Import Bank of the United States + (EXIM).  This increase puts the United States on track to meet + President Biden’s pledge to work with Congress to scale up our + support to over $11 billion per year by 2024.  The United States is + also announcing a new $1 billion guarantee for the Asian Development + Bank’s (ADB) Innovative Finance Facility for Climate in Asia and the + Pacific (IF-CAP), which will unlock over $4.5 billion in investment, + and supporting the launch of the Climate Investment Funds Capital + Markets Mechanism, which is projected to raise $5 billion or more + over 10 years. + + + +- **Bolstering Global Climate Resilience** – by scaling up U.S. + support for vulnerable developing countries to over $3 billion in + FY23 to implement the President’s Emergency Plan for Adaptation and + Resilience (PREPARE), achieving President Biden’s pledge to do so by + 2024 one year early; by expanding access to cutting-edge climate + information, data, and early-warning systems in over 80 countries; + and by marshalling over $3 billion in additional resources since + 2022 from 40 U.S. and global companies and partners in response to + the PREPARE Private Sector Call to Action. + + + +- **Advancing Women’s and Girls’ Leadership in Tackling the Climate + Crisis** – by announcing new investments to support the [Women in + the Sustainable Economy (WISE) + Initiative](https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2023/11/16/fact-sheet-vice-president-harris-launches-women-in-the-sustainable-economy-initiative-totaling-over-900-million-in-commitments/), + a public-private partnership launched by Vice President Harris in + 2023 through which the United States has galvanized over $2 billion + in commitments by governments, private sector companies, + foundations, and civil society to bolster women’s economic + participation in sectors such as clean energy, fisheries, recycling, + forest management, and environmental conservation. + +**POWERING FORWARD WITH AMBITIOUS DOMESTIC CLIMATE ACTION** + +- **Reducing Wasteful Methane Emissions** – Today, the U.S. + Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) [announced a final rule to + reduce methane + emissions](https://www.epa.gov/newsreleases/epa-finalizes-rule-reduce-wasteful-methane-emissions-and-drive-innovation-oil-and-gas) + from the oil and gas sector, following the directive from Congress + in the IRA to collect a Waste Emissions Charge to better ensure + valuable natural gas reaches the market rather than polluting the + air.  Today’s final rule delivers on this directive and incentivizes + companies to take near-term action to conserve valuable energy + resources and reduce methane emissions – a potent GHG that is + responsible for approximately one-third of the global warming we are + now experiencing. EPA estimates that this rule alone will result in + cumulative emissions reductions of 34 million metric tons + CO2-equivalent by 2035, with cumulative climate benefits of up to $2 + billion. Today’s final rule is just [one of more than 100 actions + that U.S. Federal agencies have taken in 2024 + alone](https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/US-Methane-Action-Plan-2024-Update.pdf) + to sharply reduce methane emissions under the U.S. Methane Emissions + Reduction Action Plan, helping to deliver on the Global Methane + Pledge. U.S. actions this year have included plugging leaks and + regulating emissions in the oil and gas sector, remediating + pollution from abandoned coal mines, curbing food waste and + emissions from agriculture practices, investing in cleaner + industrial processes and buildings, and building a new, integrated + system of satellite, aerial, and on-the-ground detections to stop + major methane emissions events. + + + +- **Establishing Bold Targets for Expanding Domestic Nuclear Energy + and Announcing  a Framework for Action to Achieve Them** – + acknowledging the crucial role that nuclear power will play to + support energy security and clean economic growth, the United States + is establishing a national goal to build 200 GW of new nuclear power + generation capacity by 2050, as our Nation’s contribution to the + global “Declaration to Triple Nuclear Energy” from 2020 levels + endorsed by 25 countries at COP28.  The United States is also + establishing nearer-term targets to jumpstart the expansion of + nuclear energy deployment with 35 GW of new domestic nuclear energy + capacity built or under construction by 2035 and ramping-up to a + sustained pace of producing 15 GW per year by 2040.  These targets + are part of “[*Safely and Responsibly Expanding U.S. Nuclear Energy + to Tackle the Climate Crisis and Invest in America: Deployment + Targets and* *a Framework for + Action*](https://www.whitehouse.gov/ostp/news-updates/2024/11/12/biden-%e2%81%a0harris-administration-establishes-bold-u-s-government-targets-for-safely-and-responsibly-expanding-u-s-nuclear-energy-and-announces-framework-for-action-to-achieve-these-targets/)” + that establishes a set of guiding principles for successfully + scaling up nuclear energy in the United States in a manner that + advances core values and commitments—including ensuring public + health and safety protecting the environment, ensuring energy + affordability, meaningfully engaging with communities and delivering + local community benefits, honoring Tribal sovereignty, advancing + environmental justice, and promoting national security.  The + Framework also and identifies more than 30 key actions the U.S. + government can take, along with the U.S. nuclear energy industry, + power customers, and civil society, to meet this moment.  To help + inform implementation of this Framework, the Administration is + launching Tribal consultation and will issue a Request for + Information to ensure that governmental, public and community + engagement inform implementation of this Framework. + + + +- **Doubling the Number of Scalable Clean Baseload Power Sources by + Rapidly Commercializing Geothermal Energy** – The Administration’s + recent actions are enabling enhanced geothermal to become a key + source of clean baseload power and heat in the United States. Last + month, the U.S. Bureau of Land Management approved in record time + the development of the world’s largest next-generation geothermal + project, which has the potential to generate up to 2 GW, proposed a + new environmental review tool to facilitate confirmation of + geothermal resources on federal lands, and hosted the largest lease + sale of federal lands for geothermal electricity projects in more + than 15 years. This year, the Department of Energy (DOE) also made + the first federal investment of $60 million under BIL to support + novel demonstration projects for next-generation geothermal + technologies. As a result of these efforts, within one year of the + first 3.5 MW enhanced geothermal project’s delivery of power in + November 2023, over 600 MW of power purchase agreements have been + signed for geothermal power using this pioneering + technology—presenting new pathways to leverage oil and gas industry + expertise and workforces to support a robust, resilient, and secure + energy grid with good jobs. + + + +- **Leading by Example by Reducing U.S. Government Emissions** – by + announcing a new suite of actions to reduce the U.S. government’s + indirect (“Scope 3”) emissions and engage other governments and + suppliers.  This includes launching a new target to reduce the + Federal Government’s Scope 3 emissions by 30% by 2030 – the + equivalent of 40 million metric tons of CO2 annually – and releasing + the first comprehensive measurement of the federal Scope 3 + footprint. The United States is also launching the Government Scope + 3 Alliance, a coalition of national and state governments whose + members commit to set Scope 3 targets for government operations and + report annually on progress. + + + +- **Releasing a National Marine Carbon Dioxide Removal Research + Strategy** – Today, the White House is releasing a [new national + strategy](https://www.whitehouse.gov/ostp/news-updates/2024/11/12/white-house-office-of-science-and-technology-policy-releases-national-marine-carbon-dioxide-removal-research-strategy/) + to advance research on the benefits, risks, and tradeoffs associated + with marine carbon dioxide removal, a set of innovative technologies + that could help address the climate crisis in concert with + substantial cuts to carbon emissions.  Marine CO2 removal + uses ocean processes to increase the amount of atmospheric carbon + dioxide the ocean removes from the atmosphere, but it requires + additional research to determine if it is a safe and effective + climate tool.  The strategy, which responds to a key objective of + the [Ocean Climate Action + Plan](https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/Ocean-Climate-Action-Plan_Final.pdf), + provides recommendations to guide accountable research, ensure + community engagement, and clarify the regulatory process for + scientific researchers. + +**ACCELERATING GLOBAL CLIMATE ACTION** + +President Biden has rallied world leaders to accelerate action in key +areas that the latest science has identified as critical to keeping the +goal of limiting average warming to 1.5°C within reach.  At COP29, the +United States announced progress in each of these key areas, including: + +- **Reducing Methane and Other Non-CO2 GHG Super Pollutants:** + + + +- **Hosting a COP29 Summit on Methane and Non-CO2 GHGs** – The Summit, + co-hosted with China and Azerbaijan, showcased new actions to cut + emissions of these climate super-pollutants that account for over + half of warming, including national commitments to cover all GHGs in + national climate targets, new policy and regulatory actions, and new + scientific progress.  As the two largest emitters in the world, + responsible for roughly 10% and 30% of global GHG emissions, + respectively, the United States and China have helped catalyze + global attention on non-CO2 GHGs. These efforts include the Global + Methane Pledge (GMP), which more than 155 countries have now + endorsed and are taking steps to meet the goal to cut global methane + emissions by 30% by 2030. At COP29, with announcements from new + countries, there are now nearly 100 methane action plans completed + or underway, including China’s national action plan on methane and + the United States’s Methane Emissions Reduction Action Plan update. + The Climate and Clean Air Coalition, which serves as GMP + Secretariat, is funding implementation projects in 65 countries.  + + + +- **Mobilizing billions to tackle super pollutants** – At the COP29 + Non-CO2 Summit, partners announced implementation steps for over $1 + billion in grant funding previously announced at COP28 as part of + the Methane Finance Sprint. This grant funding is already mobilizing + billions more in methane-related project investment by the World + Bank, International Fund for Agricultural Development, and regional + multilateral development banks, among others. + + + +- **Leveraging new action and science to cut nitrous oxide (N2O) and + Tropospheric Ozone** – The United States and partners announced new + global action and science on cutting super pollutants like N2O and + tropospheric ozone, which account for roughly one-fifth of today’s + warming, with significant impacts on public health and agricultural + productivity. New steps include the release of aGlobal N2O + Assessment, the United Nations  Environment Program’s new commitment + to advance science on reducing climate impacts of tropospheric + ozone, and private sector steps to tackle N2O and tropospheric ozone + precursors. + + + +- **Leading Global Efforts to Accelerate Nuclear Energy Deployment:** + + + +- **Implementing and expanding the effort to triple nuclear energy** + –by co-leading a coalition of countries working to [advance the + global goal of tripling nuclear energy capacity from 2020 levels by + 2050](https://www.whitehouse.gov/ostp/news-updates/2024/11/12/biden-%e2%81%a0harris-administration-establishes-bold-u-s-government-targets-for-safely-and-responsibly-expanding-u-s-nuclear-energy-and-announces-framework-for-action-to-achieve-these-targets/), + including by setting an example that shows how the United States + will do its part, by establishing 2050 and nearer-term domestic + nuclear energy deployment targets and outlining a Framework for + Action.  Thirty countries from four continents now endorse the + Declaration to Triple Nuclear Energy, after an additional five + countries joined the effort at COP29.  Endorsers also highlighted + recent stakeholder support for the effort, including from 14 major + global financial institutions that announced support for the + tripling goal during New York Climate Week in September 2024. + + + +- **Supporting Ukraine’s leadership in safe and secure nuclear + energy** –by announcing $30 million in funding from the U.S. + Department of State for cooperation with Ukraine under the + Foundational Infrastructure for Responsible Use of Small Modular + Reactor (SMR) Technology (FIRST) program to develop: (1) a Clean + Fuels from SMRs Pilot Plant, which will demonstrate the production + of clean hydrogen and ammonia, a key ingredient in fertilizers, in + Ukraine using simulated SMR technology; (2) Project Phoenix, to + facilitate the conversion of Ukraine’s coal plants to SMRs by + developing a comprehensive strategy, conducting feasibility studies, + and providing advisory services; and (3) the Clean Steel from SMR + Roadmap, which will help rebuild, modernize, and decarbonize + Ukraine’s steel industry using clean electricity, process heat, and + hydrogen from SMRs for steel manufacturing. + + + +- **U.S. – Romania Partnership to Create Over 1.5 GW of Clean Energy** + –Sargent & Lundy (U.S.), AtkinsRealis (Canada), and Ansaldo (Italy) + reached a new milestone in the Cernavoda nuclear power plant + project, and finalized a contract for an international consortium to + complete two new reactors at Romania’s Cernavoda site, which, once + completed, will generate over 1.5 GW of clean power for the region. + The U.S. Department of Energy and the Romania Ministry of Energy + facilitated the agreement and catalyzed the project by signing an + intergovernmental agreement between the U.S. and Romania**.** + + + +- **Decarbonizing the Energy Sector by Scaling Technologies Critical + to Achieving the 1.5°C Goal:** + + + +- **Advancing the goal to triple renewable energy and double energy + efficiency** –including by co-leading the effort to establish + international goals at COP29 to increase energy storage and expand + and modernize grids, two key ingredients needed to scale up + renewable energy in line with keeping the 1.5°Cgoal within reach. +  Endorsers of the Energy Storage and Grids Pledge will set global + goals to achieve 1500 GW of energy storage and 25 million km of + built or refurbished grids by 2030, with an additional 65 million km + by 2040.  The United States also provided over $4.5 billion in + support for international clean energy projects in FY23, which will + significantly advance efforts to triple renewable energy and double + efficiency by 2030. + + + +- **Zero Emissions and Resilient Buildings Accelerator (ZERB + Accelerator)** – which brings together a cohort of leading cities, + states, and regions committed to ambitious climate mitigation and + resilience goals in the buildings sector, including the collective + reduction of annual emissions by at least 50 million metric tons + below 2020 levels, by 2030.  Incubated by the Subnational Climate + Action Leaders’ Exchange (SCALE) partnership, the initiative will + strengthen multilevel collaboration between these subnational + jurisdictions and their national governments and will mobilize a + broad coalition of organizations offering support in the areas of + policy and technical assistance, financing, and measuring, + reporting, and verification capacity to move the building sector to + zero emissions and resiliency. + + + +- **Advancing the Carbon Management Challenge** – Since President + Biden announced the Carbon Management Challenge (CMC) last year at + the Major Economies Forum on Energy and Climate, 22 countries and + the European Commission have joined the initiative.  This includes 5 + new members since COP28: Bahrain, Kenya, Mauritania, Nigeria, and + Senegal.  In the past year, the CMC established a Secretariat to + advance carbon management at the billion-ton scale by delivering + outcomes on (1) developing country finance; (2) project deployment + and tracking; and (3) strategic communications and engagement. + + + +- **Launching the U.S-India Low Carbon Comfort Cooling Collective** – + a new initiative aimed at harnessing the power of the public and + private sectors to mobilize large-scale private investment towards a + 50% reduction in cooling-related emissions in India by 2030.  At + COP29, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced + $1 million to support this new partnership.  In the face of + intensifying extreme heat, the activity aims to reduce carbon + emissions from cooling, decrease stress on electricity networks, and + lower the cost of efficient cooling and alternative cooling + solutions. + + + +- **Mobilizing Investment for Early Retirement of Indonesia Coal-fired + Power Plant** –USAID is assisting a consortium in Indonesia, led by + the country’s sovereign wealth fund, to establish an approximately + $255 million equity investment in the first coal power, early + phase-out transaction under the Indonesia Just Energy Transition + Partnership.  USAID will support an agreement between Indonesia’s + sovereign wealth fund and public infrastructure company, PT Sarana + Multi Infrastruktur, and private investors to finalize the early + retirement of the 660 MW Cirebon coal-fired power plant. + + + +- **Accelerating clean energy deployment and decarbonization in the + power and industrial sectors** – through the Power Sector Program + and Energy and Mineral Governance Program, the Department of State + is committing $10.6 million to strengthen grid infrastructure to + improve reliability and resiliency, deploy clean energy technologies + to decarbonize the power and industrial sectors,expand cross border + power trade, and create opportunities for private sector investment. + The Energy and Mineral Governance Program is committing a further $5 + million to expand technical support to enable emissions reductions + in the oil and gas sector through methane abatement and + decarbonization technologies, in support of the Global Methane + Pledge. + + + +- **Advancing the Agriculture Innovation Mission for Climate (AIM for + Climate)** –At COP29, AIM for Climate will announce $2.9 billion in + new investments, innovation sprints, and partners.  Launched by + President Biden at COP26, [AIM for + Climate](http://www.aimforclimate.org) is a 5-year initiative co-led + by the United States and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).  In just 4 + years, AIM for Climate partners have mobilized $29.2 billion in + increased investment in climate-smart agriculture and food systems + innovation, over a 2020 baseline, including over $4.3 billion by the + United States.  On the margins of COP29, the United States and the + UAE will host the 3rd AIM for Climate Ministerial, a strategic + opportunity to highlight the institutional legacy of AIM for + Climate, including the recent  [AIM for Climate + Report](https://www.aimforclimate.org/report/). + +**MOBILIZING FINANCE AT SCALE** + +From Day One, the Biden-Harris Administration has been committed to +boosting international climate finance.  This includes scaling-up our +own bilateral finance, fully leveraging multilateral financial +institutions, and mobilizing private investment.  These efforts are also +in direct support of the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and +Investment.  As a result of these efforts over the last three years**, +the United States significantly scaled** **up our climate finance – from +$1.5 billion in FY21 to over** **$9.5 billion in FY23, a more than +sixfold increase. ** These actions build on domestic efforts to catalyze +investments in game-changing [climate +mitigation](https://www.whitehouse.gov/ostp/news-updates/2022/11/18/raising-ambition-for-a-rapid-and-just-net-zero-transition-with-game-changing-innovations/) +and [climate +resilience](https://www.whitehouse.gov/ceq/news-updates/2024/07/25/catalyzing-american-innovation-in-climate-resilience/) +innovations.  At COP29, the Biden-Harris Administration is announcing +new efforts to mobilize investment at the speed and scale the climate +crisis requires, including: + +- **Announcing a $1 billion guarantee for ADB’s Innovative Finance + Facility for Climate in Asia and the Pacific (IF-CAP)** – a $2.5 + billion climate finance platform for Asia and the Pacific, making + the United States the Facility’s largest donor.  The U.S. guarantee + will enable $4.5 billion in new lending from ADB, which will start + this month. + + + +- **Supporting the Launch of the Climate Investment Funds (CIF) + Capital Markets Mechanism** –an innovative new mechanism that will + allow the CIF to raise funds directly in the capital markets, where + it estimates it could raise $5 billion or more over 10 years. + + + +- **Achieving Record-Levels of Climate Investments through DFC and + EXIM** –with DFC reaching$3.71 billion in FY24 and mobilizing + significant private investment to support over 1 GW of new clean + energy capacity, improving U.S. partners’ energy security and + access.  In line with its congressional mandate, EXIM has more than + doubled its investments in clean energy and other environmentally + beneficial exports – from $1.1 billion in FY23 to a record $1.6 + billion in FY24.  These new investments, which represent over + one-fourth of EXIM’s transactions this year, supported $1.7 billion + in clean energy and other environmentally beneficial exports, EXIM’s + highest-ever levels. + + + +- **Pioneering Innovative Approaches to Mobilize Private Investment** + –working with Congress, USAID is investing $41.1 million to drive + private finance into hard-to-reach geographies and sectors.  This + includes a $7.25 million investment through the Enterprises for + Development, Growth, and Empowerment (EDGE) Fund to incentivize + private investment in impact funds and mobilize investment in + natural climate solutions which includes $2.75 million in grants to + enable two new investment fund managers under the PREPARE Adaptation + Finance Window that aim to catalyze additional public partners to + co-invest.  USAID will also commit $27.7 million for the Colombia + Invest for Climate activity, which aims to transform markets and + financial systems and direct public and private funds into + climate-smart businesses.  Finally, USAID is committing $6.1 million + to the Partnerships for Green Investment initiative [announced at + COP28](https://www.usaid.gov/climate/cop28/announcements) last year + to mobilize at least $200 million to achieve 50 million tons of + emissions reductions, climate resilience, biodiversity protection, + and benefit sharing across Southeast Asia.     + + + +- **Supporting the Development of the Cambodia Climate Financing + Facility (CCFF)** –USAID provided technical assistance to support + the development of the CCFF, a $100 million green bank that will + fill a critical funding gap for climate projects in Cambodia.  Once + operationalized, the facility will provide concessions to local + banks and businesses to stimulate investment in climate adaptation + and mitigation projects, assisting Cambodia in meeting its + Nationally Determined Contribution. + + + +- **Investing in Clean Energy and Critical Minerals Value Chains in + Africa** –as part of collaboration with Denmark, Finland, Sweden, + and Norway, the United States, working with Congress, will make an + initial commitment of $10 million over two years into the Investment + Mobilization Collaboration Alliance’s third funding window through + Power Africa, supporting clean energy and critical mineral + investments in Africa.  This investment will improve critical + minerals value chains and increase access to and use of energy to + advance industrialization.  In joining this impactful, innovative + international partnership, Power Africa will leverage partner funds + and support proposals to advance clean energy across the continent. + +**BOLSTERING GLOBAL CLIMATE RESILIENCE** + +The Administration is announcing new efforts to accelerate the +implementation of the President’s Emergency Plan for Adaptation and +Resilience (PREPARE), which aims to help more than half a billion people +in developing countries adapt to and manage the impacts of climate +change this decade.  Through these efforts, the United States has +provided over $3 billion in adaptation finance in FY23, achieving +President Biden’s pledge to work with Congress to increase U.S. +international public adaptation finance to $3 billion by FY24 to help +implement PREPARE one year early.  This includes the following +additional efforts across PREPARE: + +- **Scaling-Up DFC’s Adaptation Investments to Record-High Levels** + –DFC invested $1.3 billion in adaptation in FY24, including projects + that will strengthen food and water security and sustainable + practices to adapt to and increase resilience to the threat of + climate change.   +- **The $458 million Zambia Farm-to-Market Compact** –MCC’s $458 + million Zambia Farm-to-Market Compact, signed in October 2024, aims + to improve Zambia’s agriculture and agro-processing sectors. The + compact will focus on rural road infrastructure, increasing access + to finance for irrigation, electricity, storage and processing + facilities, and supporting agricultural policy reform initiatives. + The Improving Roads Activity will improve road conditions, quality, + access, and climate resilience for selected segments within the + identified agricultural corridors through the design, construction, + expansion, rehabilitation, upgrades, and strengthening in key + agricultural corridors It also focuses on integrated planning, + climate-resilient road infrastructure, building a local + green/climate finance market, and improving agricultural + productivity through better management of soils, irrigation, and + watersheds. + + + +- **Expanding Access to Cutting-Edge Climate Information and Early + Warnings through PREPARE** –The United States has invested billions + to develop world-leading weather and climate-related information and + service capabilities – from launching leading-edge satellites, + amassing relevant observational data from a global network of + sensors, and developing advanced modelling technology.  The United + States is using these capabilities to support vulnerable developing + countries to better understand, anticipate, and prepare for climate + impacts.  At COP29 the United States is announcing several new + efforts, including working with Congress to announce a new the + SERVIR Central America Hub that will launch in December and will + bolster the resilience of over 50 million people to reduce + vulnerability to climate impacts and environmental degradation. NOAA + is announcing $4.7 million to bolster multi-hazard early warning + capabilities in Pacific Islands, including through capacity + building, data sharing, and expansion of sea-level rise monitoring + stations to help with coastal inundation. The United States is also + launching the Global Sea Level Explorer– anew earth.gov platform + that will provide foundational information about global sea level + and flooding to help inform decision-making, resource management, + and emergency operations for each coastal country across the globe. + + + +- **Climate Smart and Disaster Ready** –as part of its Climate Smart + and Disaster Ready initiative, USAID announced $11.8 million in new + awards to strengthen localized climate adaptation for communities at + the greatest risk of climate-related disasters in current and + foreseeable humanitarian contexts, bringing the total investment + under this initiative to date to $16.2 million.  Under this program, + USAID has funded five multi-year initiatives in West Africa, Central + America, Southeast Asia, South Asia, and the Pacific Islands, + including the [previously + announced](https://www.usaid.gov/climate/our-ocean-2024) $4.4 + million to support young people in the Pacific Islands to advance + disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation efforts in their own + communities. + + + +- **Climate Finance for Agriculture in Africa** –USAID will invest + $9.3 million to accelerate climate finance for climate-resilient and + low emissions development investments in agriculture and food + systems across Africa, working with Congress.  In Zambia, USAID is + supporting the country’s first climate-focused investment fund, + aiming to mobilize $70 million for climate adaptation in critical + sectors, including agriculture. In Ghana, USAID created a $2.6 + million co-investment program to incentivize private sector + investment in climate adaptation and mitigation in agriculture, + complementing cooperation with the government on national carbon + market development. Finally, through the Africa Trade and Investment + activity, USAID is supporting a pan-Africa Fund to finance African + microfinance institutions and agricultural entities, aiming to + leverage an additional $5 million in commercial investments for + climate-smart agriculture, with a total investment leverage ratio of + 6:1.  + + + +- **Expanding Technical Support for SIDS through the Local2030 Islands + Network** – the National Ocean and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) + and the U.S. Department of State will invest nearly $500K to expand + technical support to the Local2030 Islands Network for peer-to-peer + learning, engagement and training to bolster the use of adaptive + solutions and scientific data and planning.  This announcement + builds on a prior investment of approximately $12 million into the + Local2030 Islands Network, a global island-led network committed to + net zero emissions and strengthening island resilience to climate + change, with an emphasis on advancing the United Nations Sustainable + Development Goals. + + + +- **$144 million in new partnership agreements in Mozambique** –MCC’s + $144 million in new partnership agreements in Mozambique with local + non-governmental partners Biofund and ProAzul for MCC’s Coastal + Livelihoods and Climate Resilience Project will leverage + nature-based low carbon infrastructure to restore coastal ecosystems + and their functions. + + + +- **Bolstering the Resilience of Critical Infrastructure: Enhancing + Grid Resilience in Africa** – The U.S. Trade and Development Agency + awarded a feasibility study grant to Côte d’Ivoire Energies to help + develop a smart grid control system that will increase stability of + the national grid and reduce potential blackouts in the face of + extreme weather events or climate disruptions.  USTDA is also + supporting a grid resilience and efficiency event series, which will + connect officials from public and private entities in sub-Saharan + Africa’s power sector to the latest U.S. technologies services, and + equipment for improved electricity transmission and distribution + systems. + +**ADVANCING WOMEN AND GIRLS’ LEADERSHIP IN CLIMATE ACTION** + + +Recognizing that no economy can get ahead if half of its population is +left behind, the Biden-Harris Administration is committed to preparing +women for leadership roles in the industries of the future, including +through efforts that advance the Women in the Sustainable Economy (WISE) +Initiative—an over $2 billion public-private partnership that aims to +close gender gaps in access to training, jobs, leadership roles, and +finance in green and blue sectors.  At COP29, the Administration +announced: + +- **Advancing Women’s Leadership in the Clean Energy Economy** –At + COP29, USAID is announcing $10.8 million to champion women as + decision-makers, stakeholders, educators, and experts in responding + to the climate crisis.  USAID is investing in programs that support + women’s equitable access to land; integrate gender-based violence + prevention in fisheries conservation; and promote women’s + participation and economic empowerment in green industries and clean + energy sectors.  + + + +- **Accelerating Women’s Leadership in Climate Action** – One year + after the release of the [U.S. Strategy to Respond to the Effects of + Climate Change on + Women](https://www.state.gov/reports/united-states-strategy-to-respond-to-the-effects-of-climate-change-on-women-2023/), + the State Department is releasing a [progress + report](https://www.state.gov/state-department-celebrates-one-year-of-the-u-s-women-climate-strategy-at-cop-29/) + outlining initiatives and programs worth $10.7 million to empower + women and girls as climate leaders while addressing the + disproportionate impacts they face from the climate crisis.  These + initiatives include efforts to train and connect women leading the + clean energy transition, building climate-smart agricultural + systems, and promoting Indigenous management of natural resources. + + + +- **Women In Agriculture Gain Economic Security (WAGES)** –This + program supports women in agricultural cooperatives across Tunisia + to address the impacts of climate change, increase profitability, + and improve food security.  The project focuses on optimizing + natural resource use and enhancing the business operations of + women-led cooperatives.  The $2.1 million project tackles women’s + limited access to training and resources by forming partnerships + with regional stakeholders and adapting approaches to address the + needs of local women leaders.  + + + +- **Supporting Women Environmental Defenders** –The Department of + State is expanding support for women environmental defenders through + the EMPOWER and WE-Defend programs, enabling their safe and + meaningful participation in environmental governance and policy + making. The EMPOWER program, now totaling $1.7 million, supports + defenders globally, while WE-Defend, with a total investment of $1.2 + million, focuses on empowering Filipina environmental defenders in + decision-making processes related to environmental policies. + + + +- **Advancing Women in Clean Energy and Minerals (AWCEM) Program** – + The Department of State announced $1.25 million to increase women’s + leadership in the clean energy and critical mineral mining sectors + in Latin America, empowering women to become leaders and agents for + change to support decarbonization and the clean energy transition. + +\###