Climate advocates and diplomats reacted with alarm as Donald Trump won the U.S. presidency again, threatening to slow global climate efforts and derail clean energy gains worldwide.
Karl Mathiesen, Sara Schonhardt, and Zia Weise report for POLITICO.
In short:
- Trump’s plans to increase fossil fuel production and reconsider the U.S. role in the Paris climate accord raise fears of a climate setback, especially among U.S. allies.
- European leaders are rallying to reassure markets and emphasize the inevitability of the global transition to clean energy despite Trump’s stance.
- The upcoming COP29 climate summit will test the world’s resilience as other nations, especially in Europe, strive to fill gaps in climate leadership.
Key quote:
"Hope is not a strategy. Stitching together a leadership coalition that can rise to the moment is the name of the game."
— Robert Orr, dean of the School of Public Policy at the University of Maryland and an advisor on climate change to U.N. Secretary-General Guterres
Why this matters:
As one of the largest global emitters, U.S. climate policy significantly impacts worldwide efforts to mitigate climate change. A rollback on climate action from the U.S. could slow progress, forcing other nations to take on more responsibility amid rising concerns about the long-term viability of climate goals.
Learn more: The climate impact of a potential second Trump term
