The 2020 Climate Test
Our next president needs to be a real climate leader. That means supporting a Green New Deal to create millions of good jobs transitioning to the 100% renewable energy-powered economy we need, opposing climate-wrecking fossil fuel projects, and refusing to take big polluters’ money. See where all the candidates stand—then, take action.
No one is getting an A+ on this climate test just for admitting that the climate crisis is happening. Real climate leadership means real commitment to bold action. We’re grading the candidates on these 4 questions:
- The Green New Deal: Have they voted for or publicly supported a Green New Deal, as defined by the resolutions introduced by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Sen. Ed Markey?
- The Keep it in the Ground Test: Climate science demands we rapidly transition away from fossil fuels. Have they taken actions to keep fossil fuels in the ground by opposing new coal, oil, and gas projects?
- The No Fossil Fuel Money Pledge: Have they signed the pledge to refuse money from oil, coal, and gas corporations?
- Holding Fossil Fuel Companies Accountable: Do they support holding the fossil fuel industry criminally or financially liable for their lies and misinformation campaigns against the settled science of climate change?
You can mouse over each candidate’s score for more information on how they received their grade on each issue, or check out our research and tracking document here for more detail. If you have questions, concerns, or new information — or if you’re a candidate who thinks your score on an issue should be changed — feel free to reach out to us at [email protected].
Candidate |
Supports a Green New Deal? |
Passes the Keep it in the Ground Test? |
Signed No Fossil Fuel Money Pledge? |
Supports Holding Fossil Fuel Companies Accountable? |
Take Action! |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Joe Biden |
 Biden has gone on record multiple times stating that he does not support the Green New Deal, BUT his updated climate policies – post-receiving the nomination and adding Sen. Harris to the ticket – reflect the substance and spirit of the GND. |
Biden has expressly stated that he will NOT ban fracking, BUT he supports ending the Keystone XL pipeline and will likely not oppose new environmental impact reviews for the Dakota Access pipeline that will undoubtedly scuttle the project, altogether. |
 Yes, Biden’s new climate plan has language that states that his administration, if elected, will hold fossil fuel companies and polluters, writ-large, accountable; and, “Stand up to the abuse of power by polluters who disproportionately harm communities of color and low-income communities…The Biden Administration will take action against fossil fuel companies and other polluters who put profit over people and knowingly harm our environment and poison our communities’ air, land, and water, or conceal information regarding potential environmental and health risks.” |
Tweet at Vice President Biden | |
Donald Trump |
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Trump opposes the climate solutions we need. Speak up to help replace him with a real climate leader in 2020. |
Add Your Name: Our Next President Must Pass the Climate Test
Add your name if you agree: Our next president needs to be a real climate leader. That means supporting a Green New Deal to create millions of good jobs transitioning to the 100% renewable energy-powered economy we need, opposing climate-wrecking fossil fuel projects, and refusing to take big polluters’ money.
Want to Dive Deeper?
Polling on the 2020 Climate Test
In March 2019, 350 Action and progressive think tank Data for Progress worked with polling firm YouGov Blue to survey voters about the questions on our climate test. The results: there’s strong support for bold climate solutions. Read our memo for our findings and analysis.
Sources and research
How are we deciding how each candidate scores on the climate test? Check out our research and tracking document for sources and more information on where the candidates stand.
Are candidates coming to your community?
With your help, we can mobilize to send a clear message to every candidate that our next President needs to pass the 2020 Climate Test. But to get a full field of candidates committed to real climate leadership, we need to take action across the country—especially in key stops on the campaign trail and in candidates’ home districts. We have created a toolkit to help you contact or bird-dog candidates if they’re coming to your community.
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