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As the ominous clouds loom over Baku, the annual United Nations climate COP conference kicks off in the capital of Azerbaijan. Critics are quick to point out that the ratification of “climate credits” regulations on the first day of Cop29 appears to have been expedited. This sets the stage for a tense gathering of global leaders, as the world grapples with the urgent need to address the looming threat of climate change.
The return of Donald Trump to the White House at such a critical juncture raises concerns about the future of green energy transition efforts. The world’s wealthiest nation is once again under the leadership of a figure who has actively opposed climate action. Trump’s policies during his previous term, from 2017 to 2021, have already had a significant impact on the global landscape of renewable energy technologies, with China emerging as a dominant force in this field.
The year 2024 is poised to surpass 2023 as the warmest year on record, as extreme weather events continue to wreak havoc across the globe. Despite growing awareness of the urgent need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, the world has yet to see the level of cooperation and action necessary to address this pressing issue. With the United States as the second-largest emitter of greenhouse gases after China, its absence from the global climate action stage is keenly felt.
The Biden administration’s efforts to combat climate change through groundbreaking legislation, such as the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, have been met with resistance from the Trump administration. Trump’s threats to repeal green energy initiatives and increase fossil fuel production have created uncertainty in the green investment landscape and hindered efforts to challenge China’s dominance in renewable energy technologies.
While the economic case for renewable energy has become increasingly compelling, thanks to falling costs and growing global investment, Trump’s policies could slow progress in this critical area. The United States risks falling behind China and other countries in the green energy race if it fails to take decisive action to combat climate change.
The upcoming COP29 conference in Baku will be a crucial test of the international community’s commitment to climate action in the face of Trump’s return to power. Trump’s threats to withdraw from key climate agreements, such as the Paris Agreement, could have far-reaching implications for global efforts to combat climate change. The potential withdrawal from the 1992 UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, which is the parent treaty of the Paris Agreement, would further complicate international cooperation on climate issues.
As the world looks to wealthy nations to fulfill their commitments to support developing countries in adapting to a changing climate, the specter of a US withdrawal from key climate agreements hangs over the proceedings in Baku. Negotiating a new financial objective to assist impoverished nations in adapting to climate change will be a challenging task, especially in the face of the uncertainty created by Trump’s policies.
Despite the challenges posed by Trump’s return to power, the EU and China must step up to fill the leadership vacuum left by the United States. The urgency of the climate crisis demands swift and decisive action from the international community, as the world cannot afford to delay the transition to a greener, more sustainable future. The stakes are high, and the time to act is now.
