On Monday, the US environmental protection agency (EPA) announced plans to reduce carbon emissions from power plants by 30 per cent from 2005 levels by 2030.
"I'm delighted… partly because my country's been so laggard and frustrating in this area, but also because it calls for plans," said Sachs.
"[Monday's] announcement says every state needs a decarbonisation plan, this is rare for the US to think ahead."
He continued, "There are only a few key players that are going to shape the whole world in climate change - the US, EU, China, India, Russia, Australia, Canada and the Gulf countries.
"There are only a few key players that are going to shape the whole world in climate change"-Jeffrey Sachs
"That's because this is where the fossil fuels are, this is where the fossil fuels are burned."
Looking to the future, he said, "We have two big negotiations in 2015, first to the whole world to adopt sustainable development goals that will help Europe to generalise its approach.
"Second, a climate change agreement to be negotiated in December 2015 in Paris.
"If we can succeed in those two negotiations next year we will have a globally agreed framework in the direction of sustainable development."
EU climate action commissioner Connie Hedegaard had also welcomed the EPA announcement earlier this week, saying, ''This proposed rule is the strongest action ever taken by the US government to fight climate change, which is good news and also shows that the United States is taking climate change seriously.
"If implemented as planned, this measure will help the country meet its 2020 emissions target", she said, adding, "This of course sends a positive signal ahead of the Paris conference to finalise a new global climate agreement next year."
"But," warned the Danish official, "For Paris to deliver what is needed to stay below a 2°C increase in global temperature, all countries, including the United States, must do even more than what this reduction trajectory indicates.
"This is an important step for an administration and a president really investing politically in fighting climate change"-Connie Hedegaard
"Nevertheless, this is an important step for an administration and a president really investing politically in fighting climate change.''
Caio Koch-Weser, chairman of the board of the European climate foundation also commented, saying, "For Europe, the US proposal is particularly relevant.
"As Europe considers its own 2030 commitments and begins its revision of energy efficiency legislation, the Obama administration has shown the decisiveness and political will to regulate emissions directly in the interest of driving clean economic growth and low-carbon investment.
"Europe should take note and realise that a price on carbon is a vital tool, but not the only tool in the box," he urged.
"Emissions performance standards, particularly for coal-fired power generation, would be a cost-effective and climate-effective addition to Europe’s policy approach and would send a clear signal to the rest of the world that Europe is standing shoulder-to-shoulder with its peers in tackling global warming," Koch-Weser concluded.