The Trump administration has withdrawn the U.S. from a global loss and damage fund aimed at supporting developing nations impacted by climate change. The fund, established at the Cop28 UN climate summit, aims to provide compensation for climate-related losses. Critics express concern that this move undermines global efforts for climate justice and cooperation.
The Trump administration has officially withdrawn the United States from a global agreement that aimed to compensate developing nations for damages incurred due to climate change. This decision follows the establishment of the loss and damage fund at the Cop28 UN climate summit in late 2023, which was a result of extensive advocacy from vulnerable countries despite their minimal contributions to greenhouse gas emissions. The fund was designed to help mitigate economic and non-economic losses resulting from climate hazards like sea level rise and extreme weather events.
Historically, the U.S. has been slow to engage with such initiatives, having pledged merely $17.5 million to the fund, effective January 1 of this year. The withdrawal signifies a notable disregard for the collective effort necessary to combat global warming, as the U.S. remains the largest historical emitter of greenhouse gases. A letter from Rebecca Lawlor, Deputy Director at the U.S. Office of Climate and Environment, conveyed this decision, stating that the U.S. would cease its participation in the fund’s board immediately.
This move has drawn widespread condemnation from climate advocates globally. Mohamed Adow, a climate policy analyst, criticized the U.S. for sending a detrimental message to the international community and those in urgent need. Ali Mohamed, chair of the African Group of Negotiators, emphasized the severe implications this decision poses for the support required by vulnerable nations facing climate impacts.
Rachel Rose Jackson articulated that the withdrawal from the fund is a severe setback to climate action and reflects the Trump administration’s broader anti-climate agenda. She urged accountability from the U.S. government, describing the situation as a “wrecking ball made of dynamite” that jeopardizes future lives and ecosystems.
The United States’ withdrawal from global climate agreements is not new; Trump previously exited the 2015 Paris climate accords, deeming them unfair. This shift in policy reflects a persistent skepticism toward international climate negotiations, particularly in light of ongoing environmental disasters domestically, from wildfires to flooding. The situation calls into question the viability of global collaborative efforts to address climate change effectively.
As of late January, the loss and damage fund has accumulated contributions from 27 countries amounting to $741 million. However, this total represents a mere fraction of the estimated annual losses that developing nations suffer due to climate change. Harjeet Singh pointed out that the U.S. withdrawal exemplifies a troubling pattern of obstructionism and emphasizes the need for accountability from historical emitters to aid global climate reparations.
The withdrawal of the United States from the loss and damage fund marks a significant setback for global climate cooperation, highlighting ongoing tensions between developed and developing nations. Advocates have strongly condemned this move, underscoring its potential to undermine efforts aimed at providing necessary support to vulnerable countries facing the dire consequences of climate change. The situation reveals a pressing need for accountability and commitment from major historical emitters to engage meaningfully in addressing global climate challenges.
Original Source: www.nationalobserver.com
