Where They Stand: 2020 Presidential Candidates On Climate Change

UPDATED FEBRUARY 2020

BOSTON (CBS) -- The focus on climate change has been growing globally and establishing the best way to address it has become an important issue in the 2020 presidential campaign. Here is a brief look at where each of the current presidential candidates stand:

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Joseph Biden, Jr. (D)
Former Vice President

Has a $1.7 trillion climate change plan
Wants to stand up to fossil fuel companies who knowingly harm the environment
Favors no new wells on public lands, rather than the outright outlawing of hydrofracking
Is a strong advocate for the Green New Deal
Wants Congress to pass limits for emission with an "enforcement mechanism ... based on the principles that polluters must bear the full cost of the carbon pollution they are emitting."
Ensures net-zero emissions by 2050
Will rejoin the Paris agreement

Michael Bloomberg (D)
Former Mayor of New York City

Wants to get the government to a 100% clean energy economy by 2050 at the latest
Wants to cut emissions by 50% across the US economy in 10 years
Proposes phasing out all carbon and health-threatening pollution in the electricity sector
Electrify all new cars by 2035
Electrify the government fleet of vehicles
Invest in research & development to move towards a zero-pollution transportation system

Pete Buttigieg (D)
Mayor of South Bend, Indiana

Plans to invest between $1.5 and 2 trillion of federal funding over 10 years
Build an electrical grid that is powered solely by clean energy sources
Wants to double clean electricity
Calls for zero emissions by 2050 and 3 million new green jobs
Plans to reinstate the US in the Paris agreement

Tulsi Gabbard (D)
Congresswoman from Hawaii

Has proposed a bill called the OFF Fossil Fuels Act, which transitions the US to clean energy by 2035
Supports a ban on fracking
Wants interim of 80% clean energy by 2027
Will rejoin the Paris agreement

Amy Klobuchar (D)
Minnesota Senator

In 2007, introduced a bill to start a carbon-tracking program as a step toward a cap-and-trade system to address climate change
Calls for major investments in environmental infrastructure
Would direct the EPA to restore and expand the Clean Power Plan
Will review every fracking permit in first 100 days in office, but doesn't want to ban it entirely
Will restore Obama-era policies like the Clean Power Plan and gas mileage standards"
Wants zero emissions by no later than 2050
Claims on the first day of office she will re-enter the US into Paris agreement

Bernie Sanders (D)
Vermont Senator

Has an over $16 trillion plan
Sanders' Green New Deal proposes to renewable power generation and electric transportation by 2030, with complete decarbonization by 2050.
In Environmental Justice Plan, aims to end exposure to lead and other toxins that are present in crumbling infrastructure, specifically in our water systems and in lead paint
Wants a nationwide ban on fracking
Will reduce carbon pollution emissions from our transportation system by building out high-speed passenger rail, electric vehicles, and public transit
Plans to create 20 million new jobs needed to solve the crisis
Invest in infrastructure and programs to protect the frontline communities most vulnerable to extreme climate impacts like wildfires, sea-level rise, drought, floods, and extreme weather like hurricanes
Will end imports and exports of coal, natural gas, and crude oil.
Will rejoin the Paris agreement

Tom Steyer (D)
Investor and activist

Wants to spend $2 trillion over the next decade to transition the country to clean energy by upgrading infrastructure and making it more "green"
Will declare climate change a national emergency on day one of his presidency
Encourage private business to invest in the green economy
Will rejoin the Paris agreement

Elizabeth Warren (D)
Senator from Massachusetts

Will ban fossil fuel exports and all fracking
Would create a "Cash for Clunkers" program to replace fuel-inefficient cars
Will create a new, zero-carbon building standard by 2023
By 2028, wants to attack 100% zero-carbon pollution for all new commercial and residential buildings
Wants to reach 100% zero emissions for all new light-duty cars, medium-duty trucks, and buses by 2030
Wants to be generating electricity from 100% clean, renewable and zero-emission sources by 2035
Will re-enter Paris agreement

Donald Trump (R)
President of the United States

Took the USA out of Paris agreement
Relaxed restrictions on power plant emissions
Administration looked to relax emission and fossil fuel usage standards for companies
Administration is seeking to reduce the cost of energy for citizens
Has increased American oil exports and industry growth, is "pursuing policies that fully unleash America's vast energy resources and capabilities while promoting responsible stewardship of the environment."
Test facilities for emissions-free nuclear reactor facilities, wants to focus research and development on the next generation of energy production
Called climate change a hoax invented by China

Joe Walsh (R)
Former Congressman from Illinois, conservative talk show radio host

Has not outlined a plan on climate change
In the past, has expressed a lack of concern for climate change
In 2015, tweeted "lol climate change...or global warming...or whatever they're calling it now."
Rejected claims that climate change is a national emergency
Has now acknowledged climate change is impacted by human activities but says the Republican Party needs to acknowledge its a problem
Said in a recent interview that the future president needs to address and recognize climate change as a problem

Bill Weld (R)
Former Governor of Massachusetts

Wants the market to decide, in terms of environmentally green companies
Believes a carbon tax is a more feasible and economic way to address the crisis
Supports investment in wind, solar and nuclear power
Supports rejoining Paris agreement

Lincoln Chafee
Former Governor of Rhode Island

Has not outlined a climate change plan yet
As R.I. Governor, he signed a climate change bill which coordinated efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help communities prepare for the impacts of sea-level rise