WASHINGTON’S APPROACH TO CLIMATE POLICY FOR AGRICULTURE –
CARROT, STICK OR BOTH? Climate change is front and center
Combatting climate change
on policymakers’ agendas both with
was a major campaign theme
the Biden Administration and the 117
for President Biden and the
Congress. As highlighted in this issue’s
the 2020 election primary.
th
cover story, Northeast farm, forest
other Democrats he faced in On Inauguration Day, the Biden Administration issued
products and fishing businesses are
two broad executive orders on
using a variety of new and existing
issued a week later, followed by
climate change. Another was
strategies to reduce their carbon
subsequent orders establishing a climate change support office
footprint and protect the environment.
Biden Administration’s actions are putting
and one on climate-based financial risk.
a framework in place to address climate
The question for Northeast
The January 27 order, “Executive Order
change across the federal government.
on Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home
High profile appointments, such as former
producers is how public policy will
and Abroad,” contained directives for
Secretary of State and Massachusetts
federal agencies to develop climate change
impact their conservation efforts and
Senator John Kerry as Special Presidential
strategies. The USDA released its strategy
Envoy for Climate and former
on May 25, characterized as focusing on
Environmental Protection Agency head
“measuring the impact of climate-friendly
Gina McCarthy as National Climate Advisor,
climate change goals, will Congress and
practices, taking steps to facilitate private
underscore this commitment. Also of
markets and ensuring all farmers can
the Administration focus on voluntary
note are the many climate-focused budget
benefit financially from addressing climate
requests in the President’s 2021-22 budget.
their operations generally. To achieve
incentives, regulatory compliance, or some combination of both? 10
BIDEN ADMINISTRATION
FINANCIAL PARTNER
change,” according to Agri-Pulse’s Philip Brasher. While there have been few tangible policy initiatives since taking office, the
A key question moving forward is how much of its climate change strategy the Biden Administration can achieve
