Coalition announces bold climate targets, leaves U.S. behind
The European Union and 11 nations, excluding the U.S., pledged to establish stringent greenhouse gas reduction goals by 2035, with Canada and Mexico leading the coalition.
Karl Mathiesen, Sara Schonhardt and Zia Weise report for POLITICO.
In short:
- A coalition of countries, including those within the European Union, the U.K., Canada and Mexico, committed to ambitious 2035 climate targets to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.
- The U.S. withdrew from the initiative following Donald Trump’s election, signaling a shift in its climate policy stance.
- Participating nations aim to cover all greenhouse gases and sectors, with some developing countries advocating for global transformational changes.
Key quote:
“[The new targets] will be the final barricade for every nation in its fight-to-the-death against climate impacts getting more brutal each year.”
— Simon Stiell, U.N. climate chief.
Why this matters:
Global cooperation is critical to combating escalating climate impacts. The U.S.'s absence from the coalition raises concerns about its role in international climate leadership. The initiative emphasizes the urgency of collective action to meet Paris Agreement commitments and mitigate severe environmental and social consequences.
