Trump’s Re-election Poses Major Setback for Global Climate Action

US Withdrawal from Paris Agreement Looms Again, EU Urged to Lead Climate Action
With Donald Trump’s victory in the 2024 US Presidential election, climate activists and international leaders are fearing a second US withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement. Trump’s previous exit in 2017 and his current stance on fossil fuels have raised concerns that he will undermine global climate efforts once again, especially with the upcoming COP29 talks in Baku.

EU Takes on Crucial Role in Climate Diplomacy
In his victory speech, Trump reiterated his stance on fossil fuels, emphasizing the US’s vast reserves of oil and gas. He has already signaled his intention to pull the US out of the Paris Agreement once more, raising the stakes for the EU to fill the leadership gap. The European Union is now viewed as the key player in maintaining momentum for global climate action, with experts calling on Europe to step up its role in reducing global emissions and advancing climate resilience.

Trump’s Agenda: A Threat to Global Climate Progress
Laurence Tubiana, former French climate ambassador and a key architect of the Paris Agreement, warned that the global transition toward green energy could be in jeopardy. Tubiana noted that while the US had previously led the economic momentum for climate action, its withdrawal would not stop the growing economic benefits of clean energy and green technologies. The recent devastation caused by hurricanes in the US also underscores the urgent need for action, she said.

EU Must Bridge US Leadership Void
Despite concerns over the potential US pullback, the EU is expected to continue its leadership role in climate negotiations. Chiara Martinelli, director of Climate Action Network Europe, emphasized the moral responsibility for Europe to contribute to an ambitious financial goal for climate action at COP29, ensuring vulnerable countries, especially in the Global South, receive adequate support.

However, there are fears that without the US at the table, other major polluters, such as China and India, may feel less compelled to make significant contributions to combatting climate change.

US Absence Raises Concerns Among EU Leaders
The absence of key leaders from the US and EU at the COP29 talks has fueled further uncertainty. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and French President Emmanuel Macron are not expected to attend, leaving the EU to carry the weight of global climate negotiations. Mohammed Chahim, a leading European Parliament delegate, urged the EU to remain vocal and assertive in the negotiations, warning that Trump’s victory sends troubling signals for global climate ambitions.

Trump’s Past Withdrawal Symbolic, but Still Harmful
While Trump’s first withdrawal from the Paris Agreement was seen by many as symbolic, its impact on global climate negotiations was still significant.
Despite his efforts to roll back environmental protections and promote fossil fuel expansion, many US NGOs and Senators continued to support climate action during his presidency. However, Patrick ten Brink, Secretary-General of the European Environmental Bureau, warned that the US would likely remain paralyzed by “denial and deregulation” under Trump’s leadership, hindering global progress on climate policy.

Hope for a Rethink Amidst Rising Climate Costs
Some, like Mary Robinson, former Irish Prime Minister and climate advocate, hope that the devastating hurricanes and rising climate impacts in the US could prompt Trump to reconsider his climate stance. She expressed hope that the US could reevaluate its policies, given the growing economic and environmental toll of climate change.