The Trump administration has withdrawn the US from the loss and damage fund created to support developing countries against climate change impacts. The fund was established at the Cop28 summit and symbolizes a commitment by developed nations to assist in managing irreversible climate damage. The decision has been widely criticized by climate advocates who argue it undermines global cooperation. This move follows a history of the US prioritizing national interests over global climate commitments.
The Trump administration has officially withdrawn the United States from the global loss and damage fund established to assist developing nations suffering from climate change impacts. This fund, agreed upon during the Cop28 UN climate summit in late 2023, was a crucial victory for countries most affected by climate disasters despite their minimal contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. The fund aims to provide financial support for economic and non-economic losses tied to sea level rise, droughts, and floods.
Historically, the US has been slow to engage in substantial climate action, having committed only $17.5 million to the loss and damage fund, effective as of January 1, which is notably inadequate given its status as the largest historical emitter of greenhouse gases. The withdrawal, as communicated by Rebecca Lawlor of the US Treasury, indicates a significant step back from global commitments.
Climate advocates globally condemned the US’s withdrawal. Mohamed Adow from Power Shift Africa criticized the decision as detrimental to international trust and cooperation in addressing climate needs. Experts emphasize that the US’s retreat from such commitments compromises the potential for progress in fighting climate change. Rachel Rose Jackson from Corporate Accountability labeled the administration’s agenda as harmful and inattentive to the global climate crisis.
Ali Mohamed from the African Group of Negotiators echoed these sentiments, highlighting how this withdrawal jeopardizes crucial support for vulnerable nations facing irrevocable climate impacts. Trump’s history of withdrawing from international agreements, including the Paris Climate Accord, underlines a broader trend of rejecting global climate diplomacy.
Despite allegations of unfair agreements, the US remains the top historical emitter while China leads in renewable energy production. Environmentally catastrophic events, such as wildfires and floods in the US, accentuate the urgency of climate action amidst obstructive policies from the Trump administration. Current commitments to the loss and damage fund stand at only $741 million from 27 countries, merely a fraction of the losses developing nations confront.
Overall, the US’s exit from the loss and damage fund illustrates a consistent pattern of obstructing climate financing aimed at addressing global injustices caused by climate change, necessitating accountability for its historical contributions to the crisis.
The withdrawal of the US from the loss and damage fund emphasizes a significant setback in global climate diplomacy and highlights the need for accountability from major emitters. With insufficient investment in combating climate change, vulnerable nations continue to face dire consequences. The alarming trends in environmental impacts demand that the US and other developed countries uphold their commitments to supporting affected countries and enhancing climate justice.
Original Source: www.nationalobserver.com
