Kerry’s arrival came at a crucial moment for the United States, as the country worked to restore trust following years of rejecting the reality of climate change under former President Donald Trump. With decades of experience in climate activism through his work in the Senate and State Department, Kerry brought valuable expertise and influence to the table, enabling him to forge connections with diplomats and business leaders and facilitate meaningful changes and commitments.

Kerry frequently represented the United States when facing scrutiny over their reluctance to participate in a climate damage compensation system. This was due to concerns that America, being the largest historical contributor to climate pollution, would be held legally responsible for compensation.

According to experts, Kerry’s departure will leave a significant void to fill. However, he has also made sure that his successor will primarily focus on carrying out the initiatives he has already established.

For the time being, the duties of climate envoy are likely to be taken on by Rick Duke and Sue Biniaz, who will temporarily fulfill the role until after the U.S. elections in November. The future holder of this position, whether it be one of them or another individual, will ultimately depend on the outcome of the presidential election.

The future of this position is uncertain. It may go back to being a special envoy, which now requires Senate confirmation due to a new rule implemented in 2022. Additionally, the Senate, like the presidency, is subject to the upcoming November elections.

The primary concern is who could take over his position. Here are three potential types of leaders that President Joe Biden could select as the next top climate diplomat for America.

The power broker

Biden reassigned Kerry as the climate envoy.

His appointment came directly from the White House and provided him with a coveted seat on the National Security Council. Along with that prestige, Kerry brought gravitas to the post having served as secretary of State during the Obama administration.

David Waskow, director of the international climate initiative at the World Resources Institute, stated that it is challenging to find many individuals in the United States who have been involved in the climate process for as long as Kerry has.

Al Gore, the former vice president turned climate champion, might be one. But Gore would be a prime target for Republicans, some of whom have already gone after Kerry for cooperating with China and

Environmental groups with a left-leaning ideology. Gore was not particularly tactful in his approach.his assessment
During the negotiations of COP28 last year.

There is not as much of a demand for excessive influence.

According to Jake Schmidt, senior strategic director of international climate at the Natural Resources Defense Council, the Biden administration has established working groups, a bilateral task force, and interagency efforts to address the issue. This has created a more organized and structured approach compared to before.

“It is beneficial to have a highly experienced individual in that position to facilitate access to opportunities that may be more challenging for someone without that same level of expertise,” he remarked.

Celebrities have played a role in encouraging other nations to increase their efforts and involve more businesses in the conversation about funding for climate change, according to experienced climate activists. However, this approach also has potential drawbacks as countries tend to resist being instructed and observers may have preconceived notions about the values and capabilities of famous individuals.

The insider

An individual familiar with the system could assist in carrying out several of the projects that Kerry helped make happen. This includes the implementation of a worldwide agreement, reached at COP28, to shift away from fossil fuels and accelerate the development of renewable energy.

Prior to the establishment of the position of special envoy during the Obama presidency, representatives from the State Department typically acted as delegates for the United States in global climate negotiations.

The further restructuring of that position under Biden elevated Kerry — and didn’t subject him to Senate confirmation. But it also created silos in the administration’s approach to climate change, making it difficult to integrate climate into foreign policy or national security discussions.

Frances Colón, the senior director for international climate policy at the Center for American Progress, stated that Kerry’s departure is a setback as we are currently tasked with fulfilling our promise to move away from relying on fossil fuels. It is important for us to implement the necessary measures to demonstrate our dedication to the commitment we made at COP28.

Simultaneously, it presents the National Security Council and higher levels of the State Department with the responsibility to confront and incorporate this challenge into national security objectives, as it rightfully should.

Biniaz, a Kerry deputy and architect of many agreements reached during his tenure, has the legal background, attention to detail and understanding of U.S.-China relations to carry Kerry’s work forward. She’s also worked to center American interests.

Duke, a deputy under Kerry, has experience in diplomacy and a knowledge of domestic and international political dynamics in the United States. He played a role in creating a commitment to reduce methane emissions from various countries, as methane is a powerful but short-lived greenhouse gas.

The upcoming climate ambassador will be responsible for carrying out the United States’ obligations under the Paris Agreement and creating new goals for addressing climate change. They will also face the difficult challenge of convincing Congress to provide additional funding for global climate initiatives and maintaining a relationship with China.

Schmidt stated that the focus of the job will shift away from the complexities of negotiations and towards utilizing domestic investments under Biden’s climate law to make a global impact.

Colón stated, “In my opinion, at this point in time, what we require is an individual with extensive connections and a thorough comprehension of the theory of change in order to facilitate the transition away from using fossil fuels.”

One potential example of this could be David Turk, a deputy secretary at the Department of Energy and former official at the International Energy Agency. He also served as a deputy climate envoy during President Barack Obama’s second term.

As the main objective of this year’s discussions on climate will be to establish a fresh objective for global climate assistance, it is possible that the individual chosen could be from the Treasury Department or even the business sector.

One option: Alexia Latortue serves as the assistant secretary for international trade and development at the Treasury. She has experience in both international development and finance and has played a role in the G7’s efforts to support middle-income countries that heavily rely on coal by helping them transition to renewable energy sources by retiring coal plants earlier than planned.

Moving forward, it will be crucial for the person in this position to understand that we have made a commitment to move away from using fossil fuels, which was established in Dubai. This will require financial support, so it must be a top priority. Rachel Cleetus, the policy director for the climate and energy program at the Union of Concerned Scientists, stated, “It also involves a shift in the administration’s perspective and acknowledging that the climate crisis is not solely about carbon emissions, but also about fairness.”

According to Cleetus, the lack of focus on climate finance under several administrations has caused doubt and worries about credibility, which persisted during Kerry’s time in office.

A large portion of responsibility lies with Congress, as they have the power to approve the budget for global climate initiatives. However, it is important for Kerry’s successor to prioritize these issues rather than treating them as less important. By neglecting these concerns, it reinforces the perception that the United States does not fully acknowledge the severity and inequality of the climate crisis.

The operator

According to Alden Meyer, a senior associate at climate think tank E3G, there are not many individuals with the necessary experience, connections, and trust of the president to fill in for Kerry, much like there are few all-stars who can do so.

A potential candidate for the position is John Podesta, a seasoned political strategist who previously advised Obama. However, Podesta is currently responsible for enforcing Biden’s important climate legislation, the Inflation Reduction Act, and may not be enthusiastic about the required international travel for the job.

According to Meyer, it is unlikely that whoever takes on the position will have the same level and length of relationships with China as Kerry did, unless they are someone like John Podesta.

Kerry and his counterpart, Xie Zhenhua, were ahead of their respective governments in addressing climate change. However, despite their efforts, they were unable to separate this issue from other sources of tension in the relationship between their two countries.

According to Meyer, it is unlikely that this situation will change. However, there are tasks that can be accomplished with someone who possesses the appropriate abilities.

Jay Inslee, the Democratic governor of Washington state, is also known for his role as an operator. In 2020, he ran for president with a focus on combatting climate change as a main goal. However, he will not be running for a fourth term in Washington, which gives him the opportunity to pursue a new endeavor.

Furthermore, there is the matter of Kerry’s future plans and level of participation in the battle against climate change after November.

Meyer stated that it is likely for him to remain involved and actively work towards redirecting corporate funding and investment towards this area. It is unlikely for him to simply retire and not take any action regarding climate change.