As the 29th annual United Nations climate conference (COP29) kicks off this week, the world’s attention is squarely on the shifting landscape of global climate action, particularly in light of last week’s U.S. presidential election. In a speech to foreign officials, John Podesta, America’s top climate diplomat, reassured the international community that the United States remains committed to tackling climate change, despite the controversial election of Donald Trump, who has promised to undo much of the progress made under President Joe Biden’s administration.
Podesta’s comments come amid growing concerns over the future of international climate cooperation, especially as President-elect Trump has vowed to roll back environmental protections, dismantle the nation’s climate policies, and withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Agreement. Nevertheless, Podesta made it clear that the fight against climate change transcends any single election or political cycle.
“This is not the end of our fight for a cleaner, safer planet. Facts are still facts. Science is still science. The fight is bigger than one election, one political cycle in one country,” Podesta said in his address to reporters on Monday, as COP29 formally began.
Despite acknowledging the uncertainty created by Trump’s election, Podesta expressed confidence in the U.S.’s long-term commitment to addressing the climate crisis, underscoring the momentum that has built in recent years, both at home and abroad.
Podesta’s speech echoed the concerns voiced in 2016 when Trump was first elected, and global climate talks were underway in Morocco. Back then, Trump’s election cast a shadow over COP22, and he followed through with his campaign promise to withdraw from the Paris Agreement—a decision that sent shockwaves through the climate community.
Four years later, while the U.S. faces another transition of power, much has changed on the global stage. Climate change has risen to the forefront of international politics, with growing public pressure to take action. Clean energy has become more economically attractive and competitive in many countries, and the world has seen a shift in the global energy landscape, with China emerging as a leader in green technology development.
Though the Trump administration’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement remains a contentious issue, Podesta emphasized that the U.S. will continue to contribute to global efforts in combating climate change, regardless of the incoming administration.
“We will continue to work for a cleaner, safer planet, and we will do this with or without the full participation of the federal government under a Trump administration,” Podesta asserted.
Despite the looming uncertainty, Podesta highlighted the significant strides made under President Joe Biden’s administration to reduce the U.S.’s greenhouse gas emissions. He pointed to key legislative achievements such as the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which is designed to transform the U.S. energy system by promoting clean energy manufacturing and incentivizing the development of renewable energy technologies.
Podesta praised the IRA for its potential to drive long-term emissions reductions, particularly in the sectors of clean energy and manufacturing. “It is precisely because the IRA has staying power that I’m confident that the United States will continue to reduce emissions, benefiting our own country and benefiting the world,” Podesta said.
The Inflation Reduction Act, which passed earlier in 2024, allocates hundreds of billions of dollars to clean energy and climate investments, providing tax incentives, research funding, and manufacturing grants to support the transition away from fossil fuels. Podesta noted that these efforts would contribute not only to the U.S.’s climate targets but also to job creation and economic growth.
He called on the private sector to scale up investment in clean energy technologies, which could play a crucial role in furthering climate goals. In addition, he reiterated the importance of state and local governments in driving climate action, encouraging cities and states to continue to push forward with climate initiatives even in the face of a federal government that may not prioritize climate action.
At COP29, the U.S. will continue to play an active role, despite the challenges posed by a potentially less engaged federal government. The U.S. will co-host a high-profile summit with China on Tuesday, focused on methane emissions and other climate pollutants. The summit is expected to generate discussion on critical areas for international cooperation, especially in the pursuit of reducing short-lived climate pollutants, which contribute significantly to global warming.
Podesta also highlighted that while the U.S. faces internal political challenges, its engagement with international partners remains essential to addressing the global climate crisis. He pointed out that the U.S. was committed to meeting its obligations under the Paris Agreement and to delivering on its promises of climate aid for developing nations. This year’s climate talks at COP29 will focus on setting new targets for climate financing to help developing countries mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
“The U.S. remains committed to providing climate finance for developing countries,” Podesta stated. “We will continue to support the most vulnerable nations in their efforts to combat the impacts of climate change, especially as we look at new funding mechanisms to help these countries access the resources they need.”
The Biden administration, according to Podesta, has already approved $98 billion in funding as part of its climate finance commitments, with additional funds earmarked for clean energy projects. This reflects the U.S.’s ongoing efforts to uphold its international climate commitments despite potential political setbacks at home.
As the U.S. prepares for a change in leadership, Podesta was quick to acknowledge that there is still much work to be done. The election results, while disappointing, have not deterred the Biden administration’s efforts to address climate change. He pointed to ongoing initiatives aimed at achieving the U.S.’s emission reduction targets, including the continued rollout of tax credits for clean energy production and investments in clean hydrogen technology.
“There is still plenty of work to do,” Podesta affirmed. “Our team is here to make sure that work gets done.”
While the U.S. faces uncertainty regarding the direction of its climate policy under a Trump administration, Podesta’s words underscored the importance of maintaining momentum in the fight against climate change. The global climate community must continue to push forward, regardless of the political tides in any one nation.
In the coming days, negotiators at COP29 will seek to build upon past agreements and find new pathways to reduce emissions and increase global cooperation on climate action. The U.S., under the Biden administration, remains an active participant in these efforts, despite the looming prospect of a retreat from international climate cooperation by the incoming president.
The path to securing a sustainable, low-carbon future is far from certain, and the results of last week’s election have only complicated the situation. However, Podesta’s speech offered a glimmer of hope to the international community, signaling that despite the political challenges in the U.S., the global fight against climate change will continue.
As the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases and a key player in the Paris Agreement, the United States’ role in the global climate fight remains pivotal. While the transition to a new administration may slow U.S. action, Podesta’s comments reaffirmed the commitment to climate solutions that extend beyond any one administration, highlighting the role of the private sector, state and local governments, and international cooperation in driving meaningful change.
The coming weeks at COP29 will provide more clarity on the future of U.S. leadership in climate action. The decisions made here will influence not just the U.S. but the entire world as it seeks to mitigate the impacts of climate change and protect future generations. As world leaders and negotiators continue their work, the message from John Podesta is clear: The fight for a cleaner, safer planet is far from over.
