White House senior adviser John Podesta will replace John Kerry as U.S. special climate change envoy, a person familiar with the appointment said Wednesday. Kerry announced earlier this month that he would step down from the top climate job to work on President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign.
Quick Read
- Podesta to Succeed Kerry: John Podesta is set to replace John Kerry as the U.S. special climate change envoy, according to a source familiar with the appointment.
- Kerry’s New Role: Kerry will leave his climate position to assist in President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign, with Podesta taking over upon Kerry’s departure.
- Appointment Yet to Be Announced: The details of Podesta’s appointment, which have not been officially announced, were shared under the condition of anonymity.
- Podesta’s Climate Credentials: A seasoned figure in Democratic administrations for climate issues, Podesta was reappointed to the White House last year to implement a significant U.S. climate initiative bolstered by $375 billion from Congress.
- Global Climate Representation: The special climate envoy role, established by the Biden administration and first held by Kerry since 2020, represents the U.S. in global climate change efforts.
The Associated Press has the story:
John Podesta will succeed John Kerry as US special climate change envoy
Newslooks- WASHINGTON (AP) —
White House senior adviser John Podesta will replace John Kerry as U.S. special climate change envoy, a person familiar with the appointment said Wednesday.
Kerry announced earlier this month that he would step down from the top climate job to work on President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign. Podesta would start when Kerry departs, the person said. The person was not authorized to speak publicly about the details of an appointment that has not been publicly announced and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity.
The Washington Post first reported the appointment.
Podesta was a behind-the-scenes veteran on climate in past Democratic administrations and was brought back to the White House last year to put into place an ambitious U.S. climate program newly revived by $375 billion from Congress. He also led the administration’s climate task force.
The job he will assume was created by the Biden administration specifically to fight climate change on behalf of the administration on the global stage. Kerry has been in the position since 2020.
