By John Hill
Last month, Congress passed, and President Biden signed into law, the most important climate legislation in decades—the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022. The legislation provides $369 billion in climate investments over ten years and is projected to reduce U.S. emissions by 40% below 2005 levels by 2030—keeping the U.S. within reach of its obligation under the Paris Agreement.
The legislation includes significant funding—both direct investments and tax credits—to reduce emissions by, among other things, incentivizing clean energy production, accelerating clean vehicle infrastructure, increasing energy efficiency, placing a price on methane emissions, and investing in conservation programs. The legislation also provides environmental and climate justice block grants to support frontline communities.
As we are encouraged by the strong climate provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act, we recognize that the bill links certain funding to additional fossil fuel development and was predicated on a promise to move parallel legislation that will expedite permitting for additional oil and gas leasing. Together these proposals will continue to perpetuate harm to frontline communities and further contribute to the climate crisis.
The coming weeks are critical for our continued climate advocacy.
As United Methodists we must:
- Stand with frontline communities in opposition to further fossil fuel infrastructure;
- Advocate for robust funding (Fiscal Year 2023 Appropriations) for international climate finance to support countries and communities most impacted by climate change; and
- Call on governments to increase their commitment both to emissions reductions and climate finance at the November 2022 United Nations climate conference (COP27) in Egypt.
United Methodist advocacy has been critical to keeping climate provisions at the top of the agenda throughout the 117th Congress. Our continued efforts in the coming weeks can help ensure that 2022 is the year we changed our climate trajectory and advanced policies rooted in our values of justice and sustainability.
John Hill is the deputy general secretary at the Board of Church and Society where he oversees the agency’s advocacy, organizing, education, and engagement mission on Capitol Hill and across the world.