Special Presidential Envoy for
Climate of the
United States
Incumbent
John Kerry
since January 20, 2021
Executive Office of the President
TypeSpecial Presidential Envoy
StatusNot Confirmed
Member ofUnited States National Security Council (NSC)
Reports toPresident of the United States
AppointerPresident of the United States
Term lengthThe Pleasure of the President
Inaugural holderJohn Kerry
FormationJanuary 20, 2021
WebsiteExecutive Office of the President

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 Kerry, who is the inaugural envoy.

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

No. Portrait Officeholder Term start Term end President
1 John Kerry January 20, 2021 Incumbent Joe Biden

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "President-Elect Biden Announces Key Members of Foreign Policy and National Security Team" (Press release). November 23, 2020. Retrieved November 24, 2020. 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.
  2. ^ Merica, Dan; Sullivan, Kate (December 15, 2020). "Biden to name Gina McCarthy to top domestic climate job". CNN. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
  3. ^ Sullivan, Kate (November 24, 2020). "Biden prioritizes climate crisis by naming John Kerry special envoy". CNN.
  4. ^ Kim, Seun Min (January 13, 2024). "John Kerry, the US climate envoy, to leave the Biden administration". Associated Press.
  5. ^ Joselow, Maxine; Pager, Tyler (January 13, 2024). "John Kerry to step down as top U.S. climate change negotiator". Washington Post. Retrieved January 13, 2024.
  6. ^ Joselow, Maxine (January 31, 2024). "John Podesta to succeed John Kerry as top U.S. climate diplomat". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved January 31, 2024.
  7. ^ "What's at Stake in U.S. Climate Envoy John Kerry's Trip to China". Time magazine. April 15, 2021.
  8. ^ "S.Korea, U.S. show differences over Japan's Fukushima plans". Reuters. April 18, 2021. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
  9. ^ "US climate envoy John Kerry leaves Beijing empty-handed". Le Monde.fr. July 20, 2023.
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