Plus, the US's sanctions spree.
The US government is set to become carbon-neutral by 2050; the US issues sanctions around the world in the lead-up to a democracy summit. Tonight's Sentences was written by Ellen Ioanes. Biden wants a carbon-neutral government by 2050 Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images - President Joe Biden signed an executive order Wednesday that aims to make the US government carbon neutral by 2050. The order promises to use the government's "procurement power to lead by example in tackling the climate crisis." [White House]
- The order calls for a fleet of electric federal vehicles to replace by 2035 the 645,000 fossil-fuel-powered trucks, vans, ambulances, passenger vehicles, and limos that make up the current fleet. [Washington Post / Anna Phillips]
- The government promises to provide 100 percent carbon-pollution-free electricity by 2035 for all of its assets. Federal buildings will be powered by wind, nuclear, and solar power. [NYT / Lisa Friedman]
- A wider sustainability plan also released Wednesday explains that the government will use its significant purchasing power — over $650 billion in acquisitions annually — to try and spur markets for sustainable services and encourage innovation. The new plan is also aimed at enacting equity and environmental justice initiatives for American communities. [White House]
- The plan also directs the government to reduce its carbon emissions by 65 percent by 2030. The administration preciously set a nationwide target for reducing carbon emissions by 50 percent by 2030. [The Hill / Zack Burdyk]
- The federal government is dwarfed by the private sector in terms of size and spending power, but Biden's order is still a significant step. The administration's wider climate change provisions are being held up in Congress. [CNN / Ella Nilsen]
Wide-ranging sanctions before US democracy summit - The US Treasury Department announced sanctions against individuals in El Salvador and Kosovo Wednesday, the latest in a round of major sanctions against entities and countries in Central America, Africa, the Middle East, and Europe, ahead of an international democracy summit. [Reuters]
- Those targeted for sanctions include officials in El Salvador accused of cooperating with MS-13 and a criminal group in northern Kosovo fueling political corruption. The Biden administration also imposed sanctions on people and entities in Iran and Syria, for alleged human rights abuses and contributing to repression. [VOA]
- Among others targeted was Alain Mukonda of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as 11 entities connected to him, for allegedly funneling money to blacklisted Israeli billionaire businessman Dan Gertler. Gertler made his fortune by allegedly using his friendship with former DRC President Joseph Kabila to win mining deals, fueling corruption and instability. [Al Jazeera]
- The Biden administration also issued an arms embargo on Cambodia, citing the government's close relationship with the Chinese military. [AP / Elaine Kurtenbach]
- These actions come as Biden's virtual Summit for Democracy kicks off on Thursday, amid grumblings from sanctioned countries — as well as those at risk of sanctions, like Russia. One Russian political commentator compared the summit to "a mistress of a brothel teaching morale [sic] to schoolgirls." [CNN / Sean Lyngaas]
Help keep Vox free by making your first-time contribution today to help us keep Vox free for all. Starbucks employees at a Buffalo, NY-area store have voted to unionize — the first union in Starbucks's five-decade history. [WSJ / Heather Haddon] - More than 40 camels have been banned from Saudi Arabia's King Abdulaziz Camel Festival due to Botox use and other "touch-ups." [BBC]
- Indian farmers call off massive, year-long protests after government assurances to overturn farm laws. [NYT / Karan Deep Singh]
- New Zealand announced a creative plan to end all cigarette sales by raising the legal age to purchase cigarettes each year. [Washington Post / Amy Cheng]
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