US looks to slash greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2030

The US's announcement comes in the hopes that other big emitter countries will push themselves to cut emissions in their own countries. The country currently falls in second place to China, who nearly doubles the United States, in top greenhouse gas emitting countries

The United States is looking to re-enter the global stage as a leader in the fight against global warming after former President Trump withdrew from international efforts.

President Joe Biden revealed at the start of the two-day summit that the United States goal is to cut emissions by 50 to 52 percent of 2005 levels.

"This is the decade we must make decisions that will avoid the worst consequences of the climate crisis," said Biden.

Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pledged a cut of emissions by 40 to 45 percent, with Japan announcing a cut of 46 percent, both by 2030 as well.

This goal pledged by the United States is just one milestone towards Biden's goal of a completely decarbonized US economy by the year 2050, which he says would add millions of jobs to the economy.

Though sector-specific goals are being laid out later this year, cuts in emissions are expected to come from power plants and automobiles, amongst other sectors. The target set forth by Biden nearly doubles that of former President Barack Obama, who pledged a cut of 26 to 28 percent by 2025.

To help reach this pledged goal, Biden's proposed $2.3 trillion infrastructure plan includes a number of measures aimed at cutting emissions, including moves towards electrifying more vehicles and energy standards in the power sector to achieve net-zero emissions by 2035.

World governments are aiming to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial standards, a limit that scientists say is where climate change would start hitting the hardest. The United States rejoining the world stage after pressure from organizations and world leaders marks the US emerging as a leader and example of setting ambitious emissions goals.