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Topic of the Week: USA

Trump’s re-election brings significant challenges for climate protection

Germanwatch, an environmental and development organisation, has voiced serious concerns over the implications of Donald Trump’s re-election for global climate efforts. According to Christoph Bals, Political Director at Germanwatch, Trump's victory could fundamentally reshape the global order established after World War II.

Agenda at odds with global agenda

Trump’s agenda includes policies that, Germanwatch argues, are at odds with goals of justice, human rights, and environmental sustainability. "Trump’s re-election threatens to hand over control of the US government to fossil fuel interests," Bals warned, while noting that worldwide trends still favour renewable energy, storage technologies and electric mobility.

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The recent election saw significant financial influence from fossil fuel and tech industries, a point of concern for Bals. Germanwatch is now looking to the EU and Germany to demonstrate resilience in upholding these values, both domestically and internationally. However, internal political divides within the EU, as well as questions about the German government’s effectiveness, present hurdles to this task.

COP29 in Baku calls for a unified global response

Germanwatch also stresses the urgency of the upcoming COP29 in Baku, especially given Trump’s anticipated withdrawal from international climate agreements. Bals noted that a Trump administration, likely prioritising fossil fuel expansion, threatens the progress made under the Paris Agreement.

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Germanwatch is calling on Germany to lead in forming a coalition of countries that will support climate goals regardless of US participation.

Who is Germanwatch?

Germanwatch is a German non-governmental organisation focused on environmental protection, sustainable development, and global justice. It advocates for policies addressing climate change, human rights, and equitable economic practices. The organisation collaborates with international partners to influence policy and promote sustainable solutions globally. (mfo)