US committed to achieving climate finance goals, Biden's advisor says

The United States has demonstrated a high level of ambition in climate finance and is determined to achieve its set goals, according to John Podesta, Special Advisor to the US President for International Climate Policy.

According to Report, speaking at a briefing for Azerbaijani journalists, Podesta emphasized the US commitment to increasing climate finance contributions.

He noted that in 2021, the pledged to raise climate finance from $1.5 billion to $11 billion, a fourfold increase from its previous highest level during the Obama administration. Despite a slight decline under the Trump administration, Podesta affirmed that the US still aims to reach this target by 2024.

Podesta stressed that the current US administration recognizes the need to invest in countries' abilities to develop their own national commitments to energy systems that utilize renewable energy sources. He also highlighted another component of the US commitments, the PREPARE program, which aims to provide resources to half a billion people worldwide to combat the effects of climate change.

The PREPARE program, with a budget of at least $3 billion, will assist small island states and least developed economies in planning and increasing climate resilience. Podesta expressed confidence that despite potential policy changes resulting from US elections, the American public continues to support climate protection efforts, and he hopes the trend in climate finance will continue.