Building on his first-day executive actions, President Biden has rolled out a sweeping set of orders for action on climate change and environmental justice.

“President Joe Biden is taking unprecedented actions and sending an unmistakable message to the world that the United States is back and serious about tackling the climate crisis,” said League of Conservation Voters (LCV) Board Chair and former Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) administrator Carol M. Browner. “President Biden’s comprehensive approach will uplift all communities, especially disadvantaged communities that suffer from pollution first and worst, and drive economic growth and job creation fueled by clean energy. It truly is a new day for climate action and with these first important steps President Biden is implementing a climate policy course correction based on science and grounded in equity and justice.”

LCV President Gene Karpinski added, “Today’s actions help deliver on their historic commitments to set our country on a path to 100 percent clean energy by 2035, protect 30 percent of our lands and ocean by 2030 and stop reckless giveaways of those lands to oil and gas CEOs, address environmental injustice, ensure that 40 percent of all investments are directed to frontline communities and communities of color, create high-quality jobs, restore the role of science in decision-making and more. This is what the record number of voters who overcame historic barriers to elect President Biden and Vice President Harris are counting on.”

NCLCV Executive Director Carrie Clark said, “Today is the biggest day for federal climate action in history. Voters elected President Biden to save their children’s future on this planet, and he is acting only one week into his administration. His orders will save lives and create jobs, particularly for the communities of color and low-income communities which are hardest-hit by so many intersecting crises: climate, pollution, economic, and public health.”

The full list of actions would require multiple pages to describe. Among other things, the orders:

• Commit to conserving at least 30% of our lands and oceans by 2030
• Center the climate crisis in U.S. foreign policy and national security considerations
• Pause new oil and natural gas leases on public lands or offshore waters and begin a major review of current leases
• Establish both the White House Office of Domestic Climate Policy and National Climate Task Force
• Order agencies to eliminate fossil fuel subsidies wherever possible
• Direct major federal procurements, including zero-emission vehicles
• Direct that all new federal infrastructure must reduce climate impacts
• Establish Interagency Working Group on Coal and Power Plant Communities and Economic Revitalization to focus on recovery and just transition for fossil fuel industry communities
• Ensure environmental justice is officially a part of every agency’s mission, and target at least 40% of government investments to the most impacted communities
• Establish the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology.

President Biden is making good on his campaign promises, with much more to come. Click here to thank him for acting urgently!