In a surprising turn of events, Donald Trump has been declared the winner of the 2024 U.S. presidential election, making a remarkable comeback after a turbulent first term. Despite facing numerous controversies and challenges, including rejecting the 2020 election results and an attack on the U.S. Capitol, Trump has managed to reclaim the Oval Office.
While Trump’s victory has reshaped American politics, it also signifies a shift in global priorities, particularly regarding climate change. According to the Norwegian environmental group Bellona, Trump’s re-election is a significant setback for international efforts to combat climate change, especially since the United States plays a crucial role as a global leader in reducing carbon emissions. Bellona warns that under Trump’s administration, the U.S. will no longer be at the forefront of achieving the critical global climate goal of limiting temperature rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
The 1.5°C target is a key component of the Paris Agreement, a landmark international treaty aimed at fighting climate change. However, during his first term, Trump controversially withdrew the U.S. from the agreement, citing concerns over its economic impact and fairness. While President Biden rejoined the agreement in 2021, Bellona’s statement suggests that Trump’s policies are likely to reverse any progress made under the Biden administration, which aimed to address climate change through ambitious carbon reduction targets and green energy initiatives.
“The election of Donald Trump means the U.S. will no longer take the lead in the fight against climate change,” commented Frederic Hauge, founder of Bellona. “This will require Europe to significantly step up in the coming years. The European Union will become increasingly important, both in the battle against climate change and in driving technological development to reduce carbon emissions.”
As the U.S. takes a step back from climate leadership, the European Union (EU) is expected to bear a greater responsibility for advancing global climate action. European nations have already committed to ambitious carbon reduction goals, with the EU’s Green Deal aiming to make the continent the first climate-neutral region in the world by 2050. Now, with the U.S. potentially scaling back on climate commitments, the EU will be looked upon to play an even more prominent role on the world stage, not only in reducing emissions but also in developing and implementing green technologies.
This shift in climate leadership may also have strategic implications for Europe, as it could find itself in a more influential position in discussions surrounding energy security, technological innovation, and economic restructuring. As the urgency to address climate change grows, the EU’s ability to lead in this area will be put to the test like never before.
Over the next four years, Europe’s response to the evolving global climate crisis will face increased scrutiny. With the potential withdrawal of the U.S. from climate action under Trump’s leadership, the European Union must accelerate its efforts to protect both the planet and its own strategic interests. The challenge ahead is monumental, but it also presents an opportunity for Europe to emerge as a global beacon of climate progress.
