In mid-January it was announced that Kerry, a former senator and former Democratic presidential candidate, would resign from Biden’s government. The 80-year-old Kerry has spent the past three years working on global climate policy on behalf of Washington. For example, he conducted discussions at climate summits on behalf of the US. Now, according to American media, Kerry believes that he can best help the climate by getting Biden re-elected.
Podesta, 75, is already a top adviser to Biden on climate and is working in the White House to guide implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act. That law frees up hundreds of billions of dollars for clean energy production and other measures to limit global warming.
Unlike Kerry, who worked from the State Department, Podesta will remain in the White House in his new role. He retains the title ‘official senior advisor to the president on international climate policy’. This avoids the need for the Senate to confirm his appointment, a requirement for envoys at the State Department, according to The Washington Post.