The United Nations climate chief, Simon Stiell, has reaffirmed the global commitment to combating climate change, despite Donald Trump’s re-election and pledge to withdraw from the Paris Agreement.
At the Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC (COP29) talks in Baku, Azerbaijan, Stiell urged nations to demonstrate their solidarity on climate issues, stressing that “global cooperation is the only way humanity survives global warming”. Stiell emphasized that global action on climate change “is robust and will endure”
The ongoing talks focus on securing finances to aid developing countries in adapting to climate change and transitioning their economies away from fossil fuels.
However, a significant challenge arises as wealthy nations, currently shouldering the financial burden, resist increasing the annual pledge of $100 billion by tenfold. Domestic concerns over inflation and economic sluggishness have shifted public attention away from climate action
Stiell countered this notion, warning that the climate crisis will exacerbate economic woes. “The climate crisis is fast becoming an economy killer,” he cautioned. Inaction would result in severe consequences: “Every country and every household will be hammered even harder than they currently are”
Dan Lashof, U.S. Director at the World Resources Institute, also weighed in on Trump’s re-election, stating that while it may stall national climate efforts, most U.S. state, local, and private sector leaders remain committed to advancing clean energy
As global leaders navigate the complexities of climate action, Stiell’s assurance serves as a beacon of hope. The UN climate chief’s message is clear: climate action will persist, and cooperation is crucial for humanity’s survival.
