Uncertainty surrounding the elections in the US could jeopardise progress ahead of the upcoming UN climate summit in November, Reuters said.
Countries could use the UN meeting next week in New York to settle major differences over raising the annual target for global climate finance. However, they are in no hurry to outline their positions until it is known who will win the US presidential election on 5 November and set climate policy for the world’s largest economy.
It’s an unspoken understanding that U.S. election uncertainty is affecting how countries are positioning, according to finance negotiator Michai Robertson of the Alliance of Small Island States.
By delaying pending the election results, countries risk missing an opportunity to strike a new agreement before the current $100 billion global funding commitment expires at the end of this year, negotiators and observers have warned.
The unsureness comes as countries are analysing different scenarios for possible victories for Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump. In addition, they are considering a third scenario in which the US faces a suspension due to an uncertain or delayed election result.
The UN General Assembly will be the last national meeting this week before the COP29 climate summit, which starts on 11 November in Baku, Azerbaijan. But reaching agreement on a new target and whether to broaden the donor base is turning out to be difficult. A target that is too high could mean that countries will again fail to raise the full amount, which could sow tension and mistrust among developing countries that rely on these funds.
On the other hand, too low a target would leave too many vulnerable and underserved as global warming continues to intensify. The absence of a new target by early 2025 could jeopardise future climate negotiations.
Regardless of who wins the US election, US climate negotiators are already facing a limited window of opportunity this year. This year is different, however, as the fight against climate change has taken on a new urgency as rising global temperatures are already triggering climate disasters and extreme events.
