Green boost: Walz adds strength on climate policy to Harris's campaign for US presidency

Environmental groups in the US have welcomed the announcement of Tim Walz, the governor of Minnesota, as Kamala Harris's running mate in the presidential election, as the pair continued their battleground tour with rallies in Wisconsin and Michigan yesterday.

- Dharna Noor , Oliver Milman

"Like Vice-President Harris, Governor Walz knows that climate change is the existential threat of our time," said Ben Jealous, the executive director of the Sierra Club, one of the US's oldest and largest environmental advocacy groups. "The Harris-Walz ticket is one that understands the fight before us."

Known as a "climate champion" in green advocacy circles, Walz has forged a robust climate record during his two gubernatorial terms, notably by signing one of the strongest green energy bills into law last year.

The policy requires Minnesota to eliminate carbon from its electricity generation by 2040 and obtain 100% of its utilities from carbon-free sources. Only a handful of states are requiring the switch at such a pace.

"This law, even more ambitious than similar measures in traditionally progressive states, showcases the kind of forward-thinking leadership our country needs to address the worsening climate crisis," said Cassidy DiPaola, communications director for Fossil Free Media, a nonprofit pushing for the swift transition away from fossil fuels.

The governor has also funded clean energy career training and allocated $2bn (£1.6bn) to natural resources, climate and energy projects in a bill that has been compared to the Inflation Reduction Act.