WASHINGTON, APRIL 21 – As the U.S. Government reenters the global climate fight, President Joe Biden is convening a two-days Earth Day Summit to ensure close coordination with key players in the international community at the highest levels of government. The meeting is aimed at setting the world up for success on multiple fronts of the climate crisis, including emissions reductions, finance, innovation and job creation, and resilience and adaptation.
The Summit is only one of several major climate-related events in the run-up to COP-26, which will be a global event. President Biden will pledge to cut U.S. emissions nearly in half by the end of the decade, a target that would require Americans to transform the way they live. Nearly 40 countries — including China, India, Canada and Brazil — will attend virtually. Italy will be represented by Prime Minister Mario Draghi.
Experts said significant actions across the economy would be required to meet the goal, particularly in the two biggest sources of emissions: cars and power plants. The Summit is a key milestone on the road to the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) this November in Glasgow, which Italy is co-organizing with the United Kingdom, and is designed to increase the chances for meaningful outcomes on global climate action at COP26. It will reconvene the Major Economies Forum (MEF) on Energy and Climate, a U.S.-led initiative that played a vital role in delivering the Paris Agreement.
In addition to the major economies, President Biden will bring other crucial voices into the conversation by inviting leaders of countries that are key stakeholders in the climate fight, including those that have demonstrated strong climate leadership, are especially vulnerable to climate impacts, or are charting innovative pathways to a net-zero economy. Pope Francis, Michael Bloomberg and Bill Gates will also be attending. (@OnuItalia)
