Biden backtracks on climate plans and ‘walks tightrope’ to court both young voters and moderates

After stalling plans for pollution regulations, Biden is trying to keep progressives onboard while appealing to swing state voters

Joe Biden, touted as the US’s first climate president, is presiding over the quiet weakening of his two most significant plans to slash planet-heating emissions, suggesting that tackling the climate crisis will take a back seat in a febrile election year.

Last week, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said it would delay a regulation that would reduce emissions from existing gas power plants, most likely until after November’s presidential election. The delay comes as the administration waters down requirements that limit pollution from cars, slowing the country’s adoption of electric vehicles.