Biden Creates Climate Change Support Office
WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden signed an executive order Friday afternoon establishing a temporary “Climate Change Support Office” within the Department of States.
The order directs Secretary of State Antony Blinken to name a director of the office and to hire as many people as needed “for the performance of [its] functions,” but subject to the availability of appropriations.
As for its mission, the president said the new office would support “bilateral and multilateral engagement” to advance U.S. initiatives to address the global climate crisis.
In addition, he said, the office, working with both the Department of State and Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry, will “elevate and underscore” the Biden administration’s commitment to meeting the climate challenge.
Part of the new office’s mission will be to ensure cliame change is integrated into all elements of the U.S. foreign policy-making decision process.
But it will so support efforts that go beyond climate change, such as work currently being carried out by the State Deaprtment to foster the growth of clean energy, help safeguard the Arctic and oceans, spead advances in aviation and shipping, and address more longtime issues such as sustainable development and migration.
