The international climate community was jubilant on Saturday, as the US presidential election was called for Joe Biden.
Four nail-biting days after polling day, Biden secured the swing state of Pennsylvania. On top of wins in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Michigan, the state’s 20 electoral college votes took him over the line.
Biden made tackling climate change a key plank of his campaign. He pledged to re-join the Paris Agreement, aim for net zero emissions by 2050 and invest in renewable energy.
The Democrats are expected to retain control of the House of Representatives but underperformed in the Senate, which will make it harder for Biden to pass climate legislation.
He replaces Donald Trump, who pulled the US out of the Paris Agreement, described climate change as a “hoax” and slowed down the transition to clean energy.
