Ursula von der Leyen to skip UN climate talks

illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on POLITICO or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will not attend the upcoming COP29 climate talks in Baku, Azerbaijan, due to her focus on selecting new commissioners
• This marks her first absence from COP since taking office in 2019, joining other high-profile leaders, including Joe Biden and Emmanuel Macron, who are also skipping the event

🔭 The context: Von der Leyen’s absence comes as COP29 is expected to have lower attendance than past years, with many climate-aligned leaders opting out
• This year’s COP is seen as less critical than previous summits, especially as several leaders address domestic priorities
• Despite lower turnout, the summit may provide an opportunity for solidarity among nations on climate policy, especially if the U.S. presidential election signals major policy shifts

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Lower attendance by climate leaders could reduce momentum for new global climate initiatives and undermine coordinated climate action
• With figures like von der Leyen and Trudeau absent, expectations for significant policy developments may diminish, though the talks will still serve as a platform for ongoing climate commitments
• COP29’s reduced impact may reflect broader challenges in sustaining international climate focus amid pressing domestic issues

⏭️ What's next: The EU will continue its climate leadership through other representatives, and von der Leyen’s focus on internal restructuring may realign the Commission’s climate strategy
• The potential shift in U.S. climate policy after the election could intensify the spotlight on COP29, urging countries to affirm commitments even in a more subdued setting
• EU institutions are expected to announce the details of their COP29 delegation soon

💬 One quote: “The Commission is in a transition phase and the President will therefore focus on her institutional duties” – Commission spokesperson Tim McPhie

📈 One stat: Von der Leyen has attended every COP meeting since 2019 until now

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