US President Joe Biden addresses the COP26 climate change summit, Glasgow, Scotland, November 1, 2021 (Erin Schaff/New York Times)

President Joe Biden has ordered that the US Government be a net-zero contributor to emissions by 2050.

A White House statement on Wednesday said the Government — the largest landowner, energy consumer and employer in the US — will “lead by example in tackling the climate crisis” through the elimination of greenhouse gases. Emissions will be cut by 65% by 2030, through measures such as transition to an all-electric fleet of cars and trucks.

Under the order, all Government electricity will be from clean sources such as solar and wind by 2030. The 300,000 federally-owned buildings must halve emissions by 2032 and reach net zero by 2045.

Through a whole-of-government approach, we will demonstrate how innovation and environmental stewardship can protect our planet, safeguard federal investments against the effects of climate change, respond to the needs of all of America’s communities, and expand American technologies, industries, and jobs.

The order covers about 15% of carbon emissions in the US.

Biden has already set goals of an American electricity grid run from renewable energy by 2035, and of 50% of car sales to be electric by 2030.

The Government’s infrastructure measures, passed by Congress last month, includes more than $50 billion in climate change measures. The proposed $2 trillion “Build Back Better” budget, which may reach House and Senate votes by Christmas, including more than $500 billion in initiatives.