Trump haunts stalled global climate talks

By Zia Weise | 06/14/2024 06:34 AM EDT

Whether he storms back to the White House will be pivotal to the result of this year’s annual climate conference, COP29.

United Nations Climate Chief Simon Stiell speaks at a lectern.

“We took a detour on the road to Baku. Too many issues were left unresolved. Too many items are still on the table,” warned U.N. climate chief Simon Stiell about the next round of climate talks in Baku, Azerbaijan. Kamran Jebreili/AP

BONN, Germany — The mere idea of Donald Trump returning to the White House is already upending global climate talks.

The specter of his return hung over two weeks of diplomatic negotiations in Bonn, where nearly 200 countries met for talks but got little accomplished. A key reason? Trump, according to numerous negotiators.

Whether or not he storms back to the White House will be pivotal to the result of this year’s annual climate conference, COP29, which will be held just six days after the United States election.

Advertisement

That’s created a major quandary for diplomats preparing for the event, especially since their main task right now is to hash out a landmark deal to fund climate action — a concept Trump disdains.

GET FULL ACCESS