WASHINGTON: The US special presidential envoy for climate, John Kerry, will leave the administration later this winter, and plans to help President Biden’s campaign.
Why it matters: Kerry, 80, thinks Biden’s reelection is the “single biggest” difference that can be made this year for climate progress domestically and internationally, a source close to the administration told Axios.
Kerry who also served as former Secretary of State and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, and was the Democratic nominee for 2004 presidential elections — plans to help tell the climate story in the context of Biden’s campaign.
Kerry is working with White House Chief of Staff Jeff Zients on transitioning out of government before spring. Kerry met with Biden in the Oval Office Wednesday to catch up after last month’s historic COP28 climate summit held in Dubai.
Kerry emphasized his gratitude for the assignment, his belief that Biden has amassed a trailblazing climate record in the US and abroad, and his excitement about the difference renewed US leadership has made globally over the past three years, said the source.
Kerry faced a formidable challenge since his appointment was announced in November 2020, alongside Biden’s core national security team.
He needed to reestablish US credibility on climate change after the Trump administration backed out of the Paris Agreement.
