Dear President Biden;

As you know, the climate crisis is impacting communities at home and abroad and requires bold, immediate action. With the largest economy in the world and the greatest historical emissions of greenhouse gases, the U.S. must commit to doing its “fair share” of the global effort to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius. This effort must be carried out in a manner that prioritizes the dignity, well-being, and safety of frontline communities and the most vulnerable in both the U.S. and around the world.  

As you prepare to unveil a revised U.S. Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) ahead of the April 22-23 Leaders’ Summit on Climate, we call on you to announce a “fair share” approach committing the United States to:

---The equivalent of 195% emissions reductions from 2005 levels by 2030 (i.e., 14 gigatonnes of GHG emissions annually by 2030). This can be achieved by cutting domestic emissions 70% (5 gigatonnes) and providing international finance and other forms of support to enable the equivalent of an additional 125% reductions in developing countries (9 gigatonnes).
---Providing an immediate down payment on the U.S. fair share of international climate finance. This finance fair share includes funding to pay for the equivalent of 125% GHG reductions (mitigation), plus an equal amount for both adaptation and addressing loss and damage caused by irreversible climate change.

This is the yardstick by which we will measure the U.S. NDC, gauging its ability to move us toward a healthy and just future where global temperature rise is limited to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

The U.S. NDC must be grounded in the need to address systemic inequalities and promote environmental justice, human rights, and gender equality at home and abroad. To do so, it must include measures to swiftly end the fossil fuel era and equitably achieve deep emissions reductions; justly transition the U.S. to be powered by 100% renewable and clean energy; ensure the resilience of impacted communities; and act cooperatively and multilaterally to properly support developing countries.  

A U.S. NDC on this scale would signal that the United States is finally taking climate change seriously, recognizing our unique responsibility to lead on climate action, and demonstrating our willingness to work in solidarity with the global community to solve this crisis together.

Thank you for your consideration,