“That means that Joe Biden is very likely not going to achieve his ambitious climate goals,” says America correspondent Erik Mouthaan. When he took office in 2020, the Democratic president set a goal of reducing emissions from the energy sector to zero by 2035. A White House spokesman called the verdict “disastrous”.
Reducing emissions
In 2015, President Obama decided to abolish coal-fired power plants through regulation of the US environmental agency, the EPA. It imposed strict limits on emissions. The Court now says that the service went beyond its means because there was no assent from parliament to the objectives that Obama formulated.
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The case was brought by a group of Republican states led by coal producer West Virginia. The Supreme Court ruled in their favor today. Supreme Court President John Roberts said Congress has never given the EPA the power to regulate the energy industry in such a sweeping way.
Global Climate Goals
“This also affects the rest of the world,” says correspondent Mouthaan. After China, the US is the largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world. To limit global warming to 1.5 degrees, the climate summit in Glasgow was urged. to get rid of coal.
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In addition, new laws to reduce CO2 emissions in the United States have little chance of passing parliament, says de Mouthaan. “In the Senate, almost all Republicans are against. The most powerful Democrat, Joe Manchin, represents West Virginia coal state and is not in favor either.”
Conservative Supreme Court
Of the nine senior judges, three voted against curtailing the environmental agency’s powers. The judges appointed by Democratic presidents speak of “a frightening” development that will be bad for the world. But the six conservation judges have the majority.
It is again a statement that has a lot to do in the United States. Last week, the right to bear a gun was further extended and the Supreme Court decided to abolish the nation’s right to abortion. “Because parliament cannot agree on crucial issues, there is no legislation and the final word rests with the Supreme Court,” Mouthaan said.
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