• Appointee will play lead role in restoring US domestic leadership on climate

• Experience critical as countries around world develop next round of emissions targets and consider reactor deployment

John Podesta, a clean energy adviser in the Biden administration, is succeeding John Kerry as a presidential senior adviser on international climate policy, rather than holding the position of a special presidential envoy for climate, to avoid the Senate approval required for the former title and allowing the Biden administration to continue critical energy transition policies at home and abroad.

Kerry, was appointed in 2021 as a special presidential envoy for climate, the first time such a role has existed.

Podesta has long been a strong proponent for clean energy, highlighting the role of nuclear power, including nuclear fusion technologies. He has also backed various multilateral nuclear power initiatives, including SMR feasibility studies in Europe.