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With Biden and Harris now almost certain to win, what does their election mean for global climate action, for next year’s #COP26 summit in Glasgow, and for the UK? A few initial thoughts 
Over the last four years Trump has been the world’s Climate-Denier-in-Chief, enriching fossil fuel companies, sowing distrust in climate science, rolling back approx. 100 environmental regulations, and pulling the US out of the #ParisAgreement. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/climate/trump-environment-rollbacks-list.html
With a Biden and Harris victory, the US elects a President and Vice-President who have consistently made climate action a campaign priority, are committed to a $2 trillion #GreenStimulus plan, a 2050 #NetZero target, and to re-join the #ParisAgreement.
As I wrote this summer in @guardian, there are important lessons the UK can learn from Biden's plan, which aims to create millions of well-paid jobs, boost public transport and cut inequality, and the way the ticket has made the case for climate action. https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/aug/03/climate-action-central-joe-biden-presidential-bid-uk-democrats
If Biden commits the US to #NetZero as promised, over 60% of the world’s emissions would be covered by government pledges, according to @CarbonBrief.
Sadly, even if Biden does take the White House, the Senate and House election results are not what our planet needed. A Senate runoff in Georgia could change things, but if the Republicans do ultimately hold the Senate, Biden’s $2 trillion #GreenStimulus plan risks getting stuck.
Biden’s ability to cut emissions through regulation may also encounter resistance from a reshaped US Supreme Court with a conservative majority. However, the President-Elect would still have options when it comes to climate action – and they offer opportunities for the UK too.
With the path to a Biden victory now clear, the Faustian pact between Trump and the Tories is over. It’s time for the UK, as president of both COP26 and the G7 in 2021, to build bridges with the incoming Democratic administration through a shared commitment to climate action.
That effort should focus on three areas. First, when States join the #ParisAgreement they are invited to submit their climate pledges. As COP26 President, the UK should lead the calls for a Biden-led US to significantly scale up its 2030 ambition as part of its re-commitment.
Second, the UK should urge the US to increase its support for poorer countries to cope with the impacts of climate breakdown (so far it’s delivered only $1bn of the miserly $3bn it promised). Doing so would help rebuild US credibility after quitting two global climate treaties.
Third, the UK should work closely with the US to green the global financial system. That means domestic action vis-a-vis Wall St and the City of London, as well as international pressure, including on institutions like the World Bank, to cease investment in fossil fuel projects.
Of course, all this lies ahead. For now, all power to the state and local leaders, businesses and civil society groups in the US who’ve made the case for bold climate action over the last four years, and to those like @sunrisemvmt that lit the way. https://www.wearestillin.com/
