Overview

• John Kerry, the U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, has announced he will step down from his role in the coming months to join President Biden's re-election campaign.
• Kerry's departure leaves questions about who will succeed him and the future of the role, which could revert back to special envoy status requiring Senate confirmation.
• During his tenure, Kerry was instrumental in rebuilding trust in the U.S. on climate issues after years of climate denialism under former President Trump, and in negotiating the Paris Agreement.
• Kerry's use of private jets for travel, including to climate conferences, has drawn criticism and accusations of hypocrisy.
• Despite his efforts, the U.S. has reached an all-time high for oil production under the Biden administration, and Congress has been reluctant to fund overseas climate efforts.