White House
John Podesta becomes the US government’s new climate representative
John Podesta (r) is currently a consultant for clean energy innovation and implementation. photo
© Joshua A. Bickel/AP/dpa
Change in the position of US climate representative: Long-time Democratic strategist John Podesta is set to succeed John Kerry. What is known about his new role.
Hillary Clinton’s former campaign chairman John Podesta is to become the US government’s new climate representative. He takes over as special climate envoy from John Kerry, the White House said.
Podesta currently serves US President Joe Biden as an advisor on innovation and implementation of clean energy. The 75-year-old will take on the international role in climate protection in addition to his previous job, the White House said.
“John is a key architect of making President Biden’s bold vision – that addressing the climate crisis is also the greatest economic opportunity of our time – a reality here at home,” National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said in the statement.
For his new role, Podesta brings a deep understanding of how countries around the world can implement their climate ambitions while achieving clean and sustainable economic growth. Podesta ran the Democratic presidential candidate’s 2016 campaign.
According to the Washington Post, 80-year-old John Kerry had previously announced to the White House that he would be leaving office in the spring after three years. The Democrat is expected to join Biden’s campaign team for the presidential election in November.