Blumenauer: Carbon Tax Will Be 'Very Difficult' To Have In The US

Summary

During a press conference, Julia Rana inquires about the proposed $20 carbon tax bill and the goal of mobilizing $100 billion for climate finance. The response highlights the challenges of implementing a carbon tax in the current U.S. political climate but mentions alternative measures like a carbon border adjustment. The U.S. plans to double its annual public climate finance to developing countries by 2024, as announced by President Biden. Efforts include enhancing technical assistance, aligning support with country needs, and prioritizing climate in public investments. There's also a commitment to rebuild international climate commitments after the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement.

Takeaways

• 📢 The proposed carbon tax bill is facing challenges in the short term due to the current Senate dynamics.
• 🌍 Alternatives to a carbon tax are being considered, such as a carbon border adjustment, which is gaining attention.
• 🤝 Conversations with the European Union are ongoing regarding carbon border adjustments.
• 📈 President Biden announced an intent to double annual public climate finance to developing countries by 2024.
• 🏛️ US agencies are working to prioritize climate in public investments and provide technical assistance.
• 🌱 The US Agency for International Development (USAID) is set to release a new climate change strategy.
• 💼 The US International Development Finance Corporation will update its strategy to prioritize climate investments.
• 🌎 Efforts are being made to rebuild trust and commitments to the international community after the US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement.
• 💡 There is a political will and commitment to reach the goal of $100 billion in climate finance, despite current unawareness of a carbon tax deal.
• 🔄 The focus is on building back better in terms of clean energy and international climate commitments.

Q & A

What was the first question asked by Julia Rana during the press conference?

The first question asked by Julia Rana was about the proposed bill regarding a $20 carbon tax. She requested more details about the bill and inquired about the optimism for its approval.

What was the second question posed by Julia Rana?

The second question was about the expectation of hearing from former President Obama regarding a $100 billion goal for climate finance, and what actions are being taken to push forward to complete this goal.

What is a carbon border adjustment and how does it relate to the discussion?

A carbon border adjustment is a policy tool that is gaining attention as an alternative to a carbon tax. It is a tariff on imported goods based on the carbon emissions associated with their production. It was mentioned as a potential mechanism to address carbon emissions in the absence of a carbon tax.

What is the short-term outlook for a carbon fee or carbon tax in the United States according to the transcript?

The short-term outlook for a carbon fee or carbon tax in the United States is not optimistic due to the current dynamics in the Senate, making it unlikely to happen.

What is the long-term perspective on carbon pricing mechanisms as discussed?

The long-term perspective includes the potential implementation of a carbon tax and other mechanisms like the carbon border adjustment.

What was President Biden's announcement regarding international climate finance?

President Biden announced the US International Climate Finance Plan during the Leader Summit in April, which includes the intent to double the annual public climate finance to developing countries by 2024.

How does the US Agency for International Development (USAID) plan to address climate change?

USAID plans to release a new climate change strategy, prioritizing climate in public investments, enhancing technical assistance, and aligning support with country needs and priorities.

What is the role of the US International Development Finance Corporation in climate finance?

The US International Development Finance Corporation will update its development strategy to include climate for the first time and make investments in climate mitigation and adaptation a top priority.

What is the commitment of the United States to the international community regarding climate goals?

The United States is committed to building back better in clean energy and keeping its commitments to the international community by supporting international climate goals.

What does the phrase 'building back better' signify in the context of the transcript?

The phrase 'building back better' signifies the commitment to not only recover from the previous administration's withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement but also to enhance and exceed previous commitments to international climate goals.

What is the stance of the speaker on the possibility of a carbon tax being implemented?

The speaker is unaware of any current deal on a carbon tax but acknowledges that it is a topic of discussion and could be an option for the future.