U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate
The U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate is a position in the Executive Office of the President of the United States with authority over energy policy and climate policy within the executive branch. It is currently held by John Kerry, who is the inaugural Envoy.
U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate | |
---|---|
Executive Office of the President | |
Type | Special Presidential Envoy |
Status | Confirmed |
Member of | United States National Security Council (NSC) |
Reports to | President of the United States |
Appointer | President of the United States |
Term length | The Pleasure of the President |
Inaugural holder | John Kerry |
Formation | 2021 |
Website | Executive Office of the President |
History
On November 23, 2020, President-elect Joe Biden announced former U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry would serve as the Special Presidential Envoy for Climate and would be a member of the United States National Security Council (NSC).[1][2]
The term "Climate Czar" has been used to informally describe Kerry's role. There had been one previous such "czar" in the White House, Carol Browner, who was director of the White House Office of Energy and Climate Change Policy from 2009 to 2011, but this new position of Special Presidential Envoy position is different in design from that one.[3] In particular, the new position will be the first time that the NSC would have an official dedicated to climate change issues and to addressing the climate crisis as one affecting national security.[1]
List of Envoys
No. | Portrait | Officeholder | Term start | Term end | President | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | John Kerry | January 20, 2021 | Incumbent | Joe Biden |
See also
References
- "President-Elect Biden Announces Key Members of Foreign Policy and National Security Team" (Press release). 23 November 2020. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
Former Secretary of State John Kerry will fight climate change full-time as Special Presidential Envoy for Climate and will sit on the National Security Council. 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.
- Merica, Dan; Sullivan, Kate (December 15, 2020). "Biden to name Gina McCarthy to top domestic climate job". CNN. Retrieved 2020-12-17.
- Sullivan, Kate (November 24, 2020). "Biden prioritizes climate crisis by naming John Kerry special envoy". CNN.