Biden at bottom of list in environmental group’s climate rankings

by Miranda Green - 05/30/19 11:00 AM ET

Former Vice President Joe Biden is trailing most of his Democratic presidential competitors in a newly released ranking of climate records.

Biden tied for last place with former Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper (D) and Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio) with a grade of D-minus, putting him behind other White House hopefuls such as Sens. Kamala Harris (Calif.), Cory Booker (N.J.) and Elizabeth Warren (Mass.).

The rankings, released by Greenpeace on Thursday, took into consideration factors such as statements, legislative records, published plans and responses to a survey. The report card looked at the 19 candidates who have so far qualified for the first Democratic primary debate in June.

{mosads}Washington Gov. Jay Inslee (D) took the top position with an A-minus. Inslee is running primarily on climate action as his presidential platform.

Booker and Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) both earned grades of B-plus, putting them just behind Inslee to round out the top three spots.

Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), who came in fourth place, said in her survey response that she would champion transitioning the U.S. to 100 percent clean energy in 10 years by 2030. Her 10-year plan would include decarbonizing buildings, the industrial sector and the transportation industry. It’s the first timeline commitment from Gillibrand, who has not released a comprehensive climate plan.

Grades were largely determined by a candidate’s commitment to reject campaign donations from the fossil fuel industry, embrace the progressive climate action plan known as the Green New Deal, and timelines for seeking to transition the U.S. to a renewable electric grid.

Greenpeace does not endorse candidates.

President Trump and his lone GOP challenger, former Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld (R), both received failing grades.

Biden, who has consistently topped his Democratic competitors in the polls, has worried environmentalists for not being as outspoken on climate issues. Biden has not endorsed the Green New Deal nor pledged to reject fossil fuel money.