Donald Trump was elected as the 47th President of the United States. A setback for climate goals; EU must lead the charge
In an unexpected turn of events, Donald Trump has won the 2024 US presidential election, capping a tremendous recovery from his disastrous first term. The former president, who faced various scandals, including his refusal to accept defeat in 2020, a violent insurgency at the United States Capitol, multiple felony accusations, and even two assassination attempts, beat the odds to reclaim the presidency.
While Trump’s election has clearly transformed the American political scene, it also represents a shift in global objectives, notably in terms of climate change. According to the Norwegian environmental group Bellona, Trump’s re-election is a big setback for international efforts to tackle climate change, notably the United States’ role as a global leader in carbon emission reductions. The group says that under Trump’s administration, the United States will no longer be a leading force in meeting the vital global climate target of limiting temperature rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
The 1.5°C objective is a key component of the Paris Agreement, a significant international accord aimed at combating climate change. However, during his first term, Trump famously pulled the United States out of the accord, citing concerns about the agreement’s economic impact and justice. While President Biden rejoined the accord in 2021, Bellona’s comment implies that Trump’s actions will most certainly erase any progress made during the Biden administration, which tried to combat climate change through aggressive carbon reduction targets and green energy measures.
“The election of Donald Trump means that the United States will no longer be a global leader in the fight against climate change,” said Frederic Hauge, founder of Bellona. “Europe will need to step up significantly in the next years. The European Union will play an increasingly crucial role in combating climate change and driving technical progress to reduce carbon emissions.”
As the United States retreats from climate leadership, the EU is likely to take on a significant portion of the burden for promoting global climate action. European states have already committed to aggressive carbon reduction goals, with the EU’s Green Deal seeking to make Europe the world’s first climate-neutral zone by 2050. Now that the United States may renege on its climate pledges, the EU will be expected to play an even more prominent role on the global arena, not just in lowering emissions but also in inventing and deploying green technologies.
This move could also have strategic repercussions for Europe, which may gain a stronger stance in geopolitical negotiations about energy security, technological innovation, and economic restructuring. With the mounting urgency of addressing climate change, the EU’s ability to lead on this front will be tested in unprecedented ways.
In the next four years, Europe’s response to the expanding global climate problem will be scrutinised more than ever. As the United States potentially withdraws from climate action under Trump’s leadership, the European Union will need to step up its efforts to defend both the earth and its own geopolitical interests. The challenge ahead is immense, but it also provides an opportunity for Europe to shine as a global beacon of climate success.
