By Nazrin Abdul 

In a press conference today at COP29, the Chair of the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) Brenda Mallory highlighted the Biden administration's progress in conservation and climate action, noting that over 45 million acres of land have been conserved as part of the administration's goal to protect 30% of U.S. lands and waters by 2030.

B. Mallory emphasized key achievements, including the protection of iconic areas such as the Everglades and Boundary Waters, and unveiled a new initiative to protect and restore 8 million acres of wetlands and 100,000 miles of rivers and streams by 2030. The announcement builds on the United States' involvement in global efforts like the Global Freshwater Challenge, which partners with 45 countries and the EU to safeguard freshwater resources worldwide.

CEQ Chair Mallory also stressed the Biden administration's ambitious climate goals for federal sustainability, including a target for the U.S. government to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, with a 65% reduction by 2030. Speaking to the importance of collaboration, Mallory emphasized that achieving these goals would require deepening partnerships across all sectors, from local communities to businesses and governments. Despite challenges, including the outcome of the U.S. presidential election, Mallory expressed confidence that collective action and expanded global coalitions will help meet these critical climate and sustainability targets.