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Biden Taps John Kerry As U.S. Climate Envoy

WILMINGTON, DE - NOVEMBER 24: Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry speaks after being introduced by President-elect Joe Biden as he introduces key foreign policy and national security nominees and appointments at the Queen Theatre on November 24, 2020 in Wilmington, Delaware. As President-elect Biden waits to receive official national security briefings, he is announcing the names of top members of his national security team to the public. Calls continue for President Trump to concede the election as the transition proceeds.

President-elect Joe Biden has selected Obama-era Secretary of State John Kerry as his presidential climate envoy.

Despite President Donald Trump refusal to concede the election, the GSA formally declared Biden the apparent winner on Monday, allowing him access to federal records and classified intelligence.

Almost immediately after the decision by GSA Administrator Emily Murphy, Biden advisers began coordinating with Trump administration officials.

The new position will be called Special Presidential Envoy for Climate and will sit on the National Security Council (NSC).

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“This marks the first time that the NSC will include an official dedicated to climate change, reflecting the president-elect’s commitment to addressing climate change as an urgent national security issue,” the Biden transition team said in a statement.

Kerry is expected to renew the policies of the Obama administration and strive to reverse damage Trump has made by withdrawing from the U.S. from the Paris Climate Accord, a 220-country agreement that Kerry helped negotiate.

Kerry’s appointment represents a fundamental shift of U.S. policy from a Trump administration focused on the economy to one aimed at repairing damage to the climate.

Emily Bevacqua