The uncertainty in the US elections threatens ‌ global climate talks

A United Nations meeting was held in New York, and this was one of the great chances for world leaders to tackle major disagreements about enhancing worldwide climate finance. However, nowadays the US political landscape is uncertain. Furthermore, the United States presidential election may hinder progress before November’s next UN climate summit.

Diplomats are concerned that countries are not willing to declare their positions until they know the next leader of the United States. It is important to know who governs the United States because the US is one of the largest economic nations along with historical polluters. If countries wait too long, they risk missing the opportunity to secure a new agreement before the current $100 billion climate financing pledge ends this year.

Michael Robertson, the finance negotiator, noted that in global climate talks, election results play an important role. To advance the climate objective, speedy decisions are necessary. Funding also plays an important role, pointing out the urgency of the situation for global cooperation.

The possible outcomes of the United States election campaign are closely examined by the government. Their main focus is on the two political leaders of the US, Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. Both Joe Biden and Kamala Harris were instrumental in approving a substantial climate investment measure. At the same time, Donald Trump, who has doubts about climate change, wants to increase the production of fossil fuels. The election results may not be announced in November, which adds to the uncertainty in the situation. 

This uncertainty also affects the response of ‌other countries. Wealthier nations are unwilling to seek further funding. At first, they want to know who is the next president of the United States that will change the political scenario of the US. Furthermore, the upcoming UNGA is important. Because it occurred before the climate conference’s COP29 summit in Baku, Azerbaijan. 

It is very difficult to set a new funding target for climate initiatives. Many countries may fail to meet the target if it is too ambitious. This can disturb ‌developing nations that rely on this financial support. Furthermore, making clear agreements is necessary to make sure that all nations can contribute effectively to climate action. 

The current funding for climate action is very low. This low figure puts ‌vulnerable countries a great risk due to increasing global temperatures. UN climate chief Simon Stiell says trillions of dollars are needed every year to fulfill the needs of poor countries so that they can tackle climate problems efficiently. According to the COP29 host nation, Azerbaijan, in 2025, if the new target is not set, then the future of climate negotiations could be in danger; however, the nation is also committed to avoiding any future failure.

US elections and climate talks

In the United States, the upcoming elections limit what current climate negotiators can promise. Jonathan Pershing, a former US climate delegate, explains that negotiators work for the sitting president, not future ones. However, if Kamala Harris wins the presidency, there would likely be more consistency in US climate policy. She supports Biden’s climate goals, including the promise to contribute $3 billion to the global Green Climate Fund, made during last year’s COP28 in Dubai.

No prominent leader of the United States, such as Biden or Harris has set new climate funding. However, the negotiators of this nation think fast-growing economies like China and Gulf oil nations should contribute. While in the past, these nations have claimed they should be exempt as developing nations. 

Trump is making an effort to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement. And also from the United Nations framework that manages global negotiations. Few nations, such as Iran, Libya, and Yemen, have refused to join this framework. 

It is not new that the US election has affected ‌climate talks. In 2000, the US election deployed the climate conference and forced the later session in Bonn, Germany. However, Trump’s victory in 2016 left ‌United States negotiators shocked and unprepared. This highlights how election results impact ‌international climate talks. 

This year, it is more urgent to discuss climate change, as ‌increasing global temperatures are becoming the reason for many disasters. A former US climate negotiator, Paul Bodnar, noted that in 2016, the US withdrawal from climate talks was shocking. Now, the nation is ready for new challenges and continues to push global climate efforts.