White House Press 12-18-2015
Under President Obama, we've already taken the lead on the world stage. The President's Clean Power Plan will cut emissions from the U.S. power sector -- which makes up a third of U.S. emissions -- by more than 30 percent by 2030 and save more than $50 billion in climate and health-related costs in the process. It's the largest step the United States has ever taken to combat climate change.
And under his leadership, other countries are following suit. China, Brazil, and more than 180 countries representing nearly 95% of global emissions have announced climate targets, or Intended Nationally Determined Contributions (INDCs).
Climate commitments GIF
In Paris, he worked with world leaders to secure an agreement that:
1. Reflects ambitious climate targets from all countries;
2. Puts in place a long-term framework that incentivizes,such as credits toward wind and solar power for countries to ratchet down their emissions over time in a transparent way with a view to achieving a low-carbon transformation by the end of 2050.
3. Provides financial and technical support to the poorest and most vulnerable countries.
In Paris, the President met with President Xi of China, Prime Minister Modi of India, and leaders of island nations including the Seychelles, Kiribati, the Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, St. Lucia, and Barbados, to discuss the existential challenge these countries face from rising sea levels.
