Trump: US-elect President’s return to office poses threat to climate action, experts say

Experts have said that Donald Trump, the US-elect President’s return to office could severely pose a threat to climate action, resulting in significant impacts on global emissions and funding efforts.

According to experts, Trump’s potential return to the White House is expected to have severe short-term consequences for climate change action, but the long-term impact remains uncertain.

“The upcoming UN climate talks, COP29, may hit a significant barrier due to Trump’s return to the White House.”

“His victory is likely to be viewed as a major obstacle to progress in reducing emissions and securing financial assistance for developing countries.”

“This is particularly concerning, as the US plays a crucial role in global climate efforts, and Trump’s previous policies have been criticized for undermining international cooperation,” experts stated.

According to the report by the Diaspora Digital Media (DDM), the US president-elect, known for his skeptical stance on climate change, has previously expressed strong reservations about initiatives aimed at promoting green energy, going as far as labeling them a “scam.”

“But with renewable energy gaining a strong foothold in the US and popular support for wind and solar, Trump’s efforts to ramp up oil and gas instead may be less effective.”

“While climate change took a backseat in this year’s campaign, Trump’s potential actions in office may have far-reaching consequences, exceeding those of his previous term in 2017.”

“Trump’s energy policy plans prioritize fossil fuels, aiming to reduce energy costs, achieve “energy dominance,” and boost US industries”

“The shift would likely involve regulatory rollbacks, scaling back renewable energy policies, and removing the US from the Paris Agreement on climate change,” experts explained.

Back then, he announced plans to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement, a landmark United Nations process aimed at mitigating climate change.

“The agreement marked a historic milestone in the global fight against climate change, as nearly 200 countries came together to pledge reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, the primary cause of global warming,” Arise News reported.

“The Paris Agreement’s rules dictated that the United States couldn’t withdraw until November 2020, mere months before Trump left office.”

“If Trump were to withdraw again, the U.S. would only need to wait a year to be completely out of the agreement. This would grant him a three-year window to pursue his own agenda, unencumbered by UN reporting requirements or the agreement’s rules.”

“However, President Joe Biden’s negotiators would still attend the upcoming COP talks in Azerbaijan, but any agreements reached would not be binding for the Trump administration.”

“Essentially, Trump’s withdrawal would give him free rein to shape the country’s climate policy without international obligations.”

Prof Richard Klein, an expert on climate change policy for the Stockholm Environment Institute, said “the US at this COP is not just a lame duck but a dead duck.”

“The inability to make commitments undermines global cooperation, particularly with nations like China, which may be reluctant to make their own commitments in the absence of reciprocal agreements.”

In recent years, the United States and China have intensified their collaborative efforts to address climate change, engaging in high-level dialogues and joint research initiatives.

Furthermore, the international community has acknowledged the need for enhanced financial support to aid developing countries in mitigating the impacts of climate change.

In recent years, affluent nations, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and European Union member states, have sought to increase funding for climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts in developing countries.

“According to Professor Klein, the US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement means China will not be held accountable for providing financial support to the climate fund, a goal the US had previously pursued.

Climate experts assert that developing nations require substantial additional investments, totaling billions of dollars, to achieve net-zero emissions status and mitigate the impacts of escalating global temperatures.

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