BAKU, Azerbaijan — Regardless of any potential policy shifts regarding climate change from President-Elect Donald Trump, the nation’s clean energy sector is unlikely to revert to less sustainable practices, according to a prominent American climate negotiator who expressed a mix of determination and disappointment during a press conference on Monday.
On the first day of the U.N. climate talks, COP29, Climate Adviser John Podesta maintained a resilient yet pragmatic stance, predicting that Trump might seek to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement, as well as dismantle many initiatives established under the Biden Administration, such as the Inflation Reduction Act, which allocated $375 billion toward climate initiatives in 2022.
“Will we encounter new challenges? Absolutely,” Podesta acknowledged. “But there is no chance we will revert back to the energy systems of the mid-20th century.”
He articulated that while setbacks are a part of progress, giving in to despair is unacceptable. “This challenge is far more substantial than any single election or political term in one nation. We continue our struggle for a cleaner and safer planet amid a global context defined by an ongoing climate crisis,” he remarked.
Podesta went on to highlight a series of environmental catastrophes, starting with the unprecedented heat recorded on July 22, followed by incidents of flooding, hurricanes, and drought.
“This is not a fabricated issue; it is profoundly real and crucial to our survival,” Podesta emphasized. “Fortunately, there are many across the nation and worldwide actively preparing for this new reality while working to alleviate the more catastrophic outcomes of climate change.”
He reaffirmed the Biden administration’s ongoing commitment to negotiations before their expected transition. “Our presence here signifies our commitment, and we aim for a productive outcome at COP29,” insisted Podesta. “Real advancements can still be made with the engagement of climate-responsible states, cities, businesses, and especially the youth—who recognize the existential threat of climate change that we must not ignore.”
A senior U.S. official, who chose to remain anonymous, indicated that other nations are still willing to collaborate with American diplomats, underscoring the influence and opinion of the U.S. in developing consensus agreements at these talks, countering earlier expectations of American isolation.
“In January, we will see the inauguration of a president whose view on climate is aligned with terms like ‘hoax’ and support for fossil fuels,” Podesta continued. “He has declared intentions to reverse our environmental protections and withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Agreement, and we have every reason to take him at his word.”
