The special assistant to the president for climate policy is an important position within the Executive Office of the President of the United States. This role, which currently does not exist in the Biden administration, would serve as the president’s top advisor on issues related to climate change and help shape the administration’s policies and agenda on this critical global issue. With climate change being one of the defining challenges of our time, establishing this position would signal that climate policy is a top priority for the president.
Background on the Special Assistant Role
The title of “Special Assistant to the President” has been used to designate key advisors on specific policy issues or initiatives since the Truman administration in the 1940s. While the specific duties and areas of focus have varied, special assistants generally serve as the president’s point person for developing, coordinating, and promoting policies important to the administration’s agenda. They help ensure a coherent strategy across federal agencies and effective collaboration with external stakeholders.
Some past examples of special assistants include:
– Special Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs (National Security Advisor)
– Special Assistant to the President for Economic Policy
– Special Assistant to the President for Health Policy
– Special Assistant to the President for Energy and Climate Change (in Obama administration)
So the proposed Special Assistant to the President for Climate Policy position would follow in this tradition of high-level advisors tapped to provide expertise and oversight on key policy priorities.
Duties and Responsibilities
If created, the duties and responsibilities of the Special Assistant to the President for Climate Policy could include:
– Chairing an interagency process on climate policy and coordinating the administration’s efforts across federal agencies.
– Working with Cabinet members and agency heads to develop and implement executive policies and actions related to climate change.
– Engaging in outreach to external partners, including state/local governments, the private sector, non-profits, and the international community to help shape and galvanize climate strategies.
– Advising the president daily on developments, trends, and events related to climate change.
– Overseeing climate-related public communications and serving as a primary spokesperson for the administration on climate policy.
– Coordinating the administration’s climate agenda with Congress and helping to craft relevant legislation.
– Representing the president at global summits, conferences, and forums focused on climate change.
– Monitoring and disseminating the latest scientific research related to climate change and impacts.
– Overseeing climate policy planning and development of long-term strategies to achieve carbon reduction goals.
Essentially, the Special Assistant would coordinate and align climate priorities across the entire federal government while also being the public face and voice of the issue from the administration. The role demands expertise in both policy and science.
Importance and Benefits of the Role
Formalizing a Special Assistant to the President for Climate Policy role would have a number of benefits and strategic advantages:
– Demonstrates that tackling climate change is a primary concern and long-term commitment for the administration rather than just a peripheral issue.
– Elevates the visibility of climate policy as a domestic issue and global partnership priority.
– Ensures decision-making is based on scientific evidence and grounded in policy realities versus politics and rhetoric.
– Creates accountability and empowers an official to drive progress on climate goals.
– Streamlines communication and alignment on climate policy across federal agencies.
– Helps maintain policy and messaging continuity over the course of an administration.
– Allows for long-term strategic planning on climate rather than a piecemeal approach.
– Facilitates public-private sector collaboration on climate solutions and innovation.
– Provides critical leadership in spurring global cooperation and climate action with international allies.
In essence, having a trusted, science-based climate policy expert coordinating the administration’s agenda would enable systemic, strategic policymaking as opposed to one-off initiatives. This is crucial for addressing an issue as complex and wide-ranging as climate change.
Potential Candidates for the Role
If President Biden were to establish a Special Assistant to the President for Climate Policy position, there are a number of qualified experts who could potentially fill the role. Some possible candidates include:
Gina McCarthy
McCarthy served as EPA Administrator from 2013-2017 during the Obama administration. She was a principal architect of Obama’s Climate Action Plan and oversaw creation of landmark policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. She currently leads the Natural Resources Defense Council as President and CEO.
John Kerry
Kerry is the first ever Special Presidential Envoy for Climate under President Biden. He previously served as Secretary of State from 2013-2017 where he led international climate negotiations that culminated in the Paris Agreement. His extensive climate and foreign policy experience could translate well to an expanded domestic policy coordination role.
Ali Zaidi
Zaidi is the current Deputy White House National Climate Advisor. He previously served in the Obama administration as Associate Director for Natural Resources, Energy and Science in the Office of Management and Budget. His climate policy expertise at both the federal and international level makes him a strong candidate.
Carol Browner
Browner served as Administrator of EPA for the entirety of the Clinton administration. Previously, she headed the Florida Department of Environmental Regulation. Her mix of federal and state environmental policy experience could inform the role.
Jay Inslee
Inslee is the governor of Washington state and previously served in the U.S. House of Representatives. He centered both his 2020 presidential campaign and gubernatorial agenda on climate action, making him a leading Democratic voice on climate policy.
| Name | Current or Most Recent Role | Relevant Past Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Gina McCarthy | President & CEO, NRDC | EPA Administrator (Obama); Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation at EPA; Top environmental official in Massachusetts and Connecticut |
| John Kerry | Special Presidential Envoy for Climate | U.S. Secretary of State; Longtime U.S. Senator with focus on climate change |
| Ali Zaidi | Deputy White House National Climate Advisor | Associate Director for Natural Resources, Energy and Science at OMB (Obama); Senior climate advisor to Secretary of Energy; Advisor on United Nations climate negotiations |
| Carol Browner | Board Chair, League of Conservation Voters | EPA Administrator (Clinton); Head of Florida DEP; Assistant to Obama on energy and climate policy |
| Jay Inslee | Governor of Washington | U.S. Representative; Led effort to create a Clean Energy Plan for the U.S. during presidential run |
This table summarizes the background of several potential candidates for Special Assistant to the President for Climate Policy. All would bring extensive climate policy expertise and leadership experience at the federal, state, or international level.
Policy Priorities and Focus Areas
If appointed as Special Assistant for Climate Policy, key focus areas for the official would likely include:
Federal Agency Alignment
Coordinating action across agencies like EPA, DOE, Interior, Transportation, Defense, USDA and others to aggressively reduce carbon and greenhouse gas emissions. This would involve ensuring climate considerations are integrated into all relevant policy decisions.
Clean Energy Transition
Accelerating the shift to renewable energy like solar, wind and hydrogen across the power, transportation and building sectors, which account for most U.S. emissions. This requires advancements in technology, infrastructure and incentives.
Resilience and Adaptation
Enhancing preparation and resilience against climate change impacts on public health, communities, the economy and national security. This entails updating building codes, strengthening disaster response systems and improving climate risk analysis methods.
Environmental Justice
Ensuring equity is central to climate policy and environmental harms are not disproportionately borne by marginalized groups. Focus would be on giving vulnerable communities an equitable stake in the clean energy economy.
Carbon Removal Technology
Advancing development of carbon removal methods like direct air capture, reforestation, bioenergy and carbon mineralization that can actively pull greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.
International Leadership
Restoring U.S. credibility and influence on global climate action after previous disengagement. Priorities would include meeting finance commitments, partnering to cut emissions, and pursuing high ambition goals.
Climate and Clean Energy Jobs
Maximizing job creation, economic gains and competitiveness benefits from the climate policy agenda. This includes investment, tax incentives, project grants/loans, training programs and procurement standards.
Early Policy Actions and Announcements
Once appointed, the Special Assistant could spearhead some immediate policy actions and announcements to demonstrate clear priorities:
– Issue an Executive Order establishing an interagency council on climate policy co-chaired by the Special Assistant and National Climate Advisor.
– Announce a series of regional listening sessions with governors, mayors, tribal leaders, youth activists, environmental justice advocates and climate vulnerable communities.
– Unveil the administration’s plan for meeting its Paris Agreement emissions reduction target, including sector-specific goals and milestones.
– Finalize strengthened carbon pollution standards for power plants, cars/trucks, oil and gas operations, and industrial facilities.
– Commit to significant increases in clean energy research budgets across science agencies like DOE, NSF, NOAA and NASA.
– Launch a “Climate Corps” initiative through AmeriCorps, the Peace Corps and other service corps to support climate resilience projects.
– Host a summit at the White House focused on methane reduction strategies and partnerships.
– Issue an Executive Order requiring all federal agencies to evaluate climate risks and vulnerabilities across their operations and assets.
These actions would energize national climate efforts and immediately elevate the issue as an urgent priority across the federal government.
Longer-Term Opportunities
Further out, the Special Assistant could pursue some of these major strategic opportunities:
– Craft national carbon pricing legislation like a cap-and-trade system or carbon tax, engaging with Congress on a bipartisan basis.
– Develop a National Climate Transition Plan to coordinate policy, technology, labor, economic, and environmental justice strategies for a managed shift to carbon-free energy.
– Establish a United States Carbon Bank to help finance emissions reduction projects, support climate innovation, and acquire carbon offsets to meet goals.
– Launch a Regional Resilience Compact program that provides planning grants and support for interstate climate resilience collaboration.
– Create more ambitious post-Paris commitments and 2030 emissions targets as technology advances.
– Initiate a Global Commission on Climate and Migration focused on assisting climate refugees and vulnerable populations.
– Establish a national Climate Impact Advisory Panel to continuously assess economic costs, security risks, and implications of climate change.
– Double down on international partnerships like Mission Innovation and the First Movers Coalition to accelerate clean energy technology RD&D.
The Special Assistant would be positioned to drive this type of ambitious, systemic agenda given the scope and importance of their role advising the president daily on the climate crisis.
Conclusion
Appointing a Special Assistant to the President focused solely on climate policy would demonstrate crucial leadership in confronting the urgent challenge of climate change. The Special Assistant can help align federal agencies, shape national policy agenda, apply climate science expertise, spearhead public engagement, and elevate national and global climate action. With climate threats growing, this position offers a strategic opportunity to enhance policy impact on a whole-of-government scale under direct guidance of the president. The administration should strongly consider creating this vital role as part of a comprehensive climate solution agenda.
