COP29 opens in Baku amid fears of U.S. withdrawal from Paris Agreement after Trump’s re-election
BAKU – The 29th United Nations Climate Conference opened on Monday in Azerbaijan, with concerns looming that Donald Trump might withdraw the United States from the landmark Paris Agreement.
“We cannot afford to let the momentum for global action on climate change be derailed,” said Ralph Regenvanu, Vanuatu’s special envoy for climate change and environment.
“This is a shared problem that will not solve itself without international cooperation, and we will continue to make that case to the incoming president of one of the world’s largest polluters.”
Delegates gathering in Azerbaijan’s capital, Baku, are focused on addressing the COP29 summit’s top priority: securing a deal for up to $1 trillion in annual climate finance for developing countries, replacing the previous target of $100 billion.
“Let’s dispense with the idea that climate finance is charity,” U.N. climate chief Simon Stiell said at the Baku Stadium venue. “An ambitious new climate finance goal is entirely in the self-interest of every nation, including the largest and wealthiest.”
It is noteworthy that this year is on track to become the hottest on record, with both rich and poor countries grappling with extreme weather events. These include devastating floods in Africa, coastal Spain, and North Carolina, as well as severe droughts affecting South America, Mexico, and the U.S. West.
“Unless the world collectively steps up its efforts, the impacts of climate change will become increasingly severe and frequent and will be felt by an increasing number of people in all countries, including in the United States,” said Kaveh Guilanpour, vice president for international strategies at the nonprofit Center for Climate and Energy Solutions.
Accordingly, a potential U.S. disengagement from climate action has raised concerns that other nations may also reduce their climate commitments and lower future ambitions.
