DNC climate platform draft calls for net-zero emissions by 2050

A draft of the Democratic National Committee’s (DNC) climate platform calls for net-zero emissions by 2050, in line with the policy goals set forth by presumptive presidential nominee Joe Biden.

The draft platform, obtained by The Hill on Thursday, includes several updates Biden made to his plan recently. The DNC objectives, however, do not go as far some of the more ambitious goals laid out by progressives.

Like Biden, the DNC wants to achieve carbon-free power by 2035, as well as invest in 500,000 electric vehicle charging stations and conserve 30 percent of America’s lands and waters by 2030.

Currently the U.S. has about 26,000 charging stations. According to the left-leaning Center for American Progress, the U.S. was conserving 12 percent of its lands as of 2018.

Both the Biden and DNC draft plans call for the U.S. to rejoin the Paris climate agreement. The DNC also calls for a “carbon adjustment fee” for products from countries that do not meet their obligations under the accord.

“We must lead the world in taking on the climate crisis, not deny the science and accelerate the damage,” the platform’s preamble states. “The last four years have seen record-breaking storms, devastating wildfires, and historic floods.”

“Democrats will rejoin the Paris Climate Agreement and go further, building a thriving, equitable, and globally competitive clean energy economy that puts workers and communities first, and leaves no one behind,” it continues.

The party platform differs from Biden’s vision in some areas, calling for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions for all new buildings by 2030, compared with Biden’s 2035 goal.

The DNC also wants to invest in 500 million solar panels and 60,000 wind turbines. Biden’s plan doesn’t set specific goals for turbines or solar panels.

The DNC plan is less ambitious than some of the policy recommendations laid out by progressive and environmental groups that want to end fossil fuel production, reach “near-zero” emissions by 2040 and achieve 100 percent clean energy in electricity generation, buildings and transportation by 2030.

Laura Kelly contributed.