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illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on POLITICO or enjoy below:
🗞️ Driving the news: COP29 unfolded against the backdrop of Donald Trump’s impending presidency, with global uncertainty overshadowing the conference
• U.S. delegates refrained from major climate finance commitments, knowing Trump plans to cut funding and exit the Paris Agreement
• This shift left many nations looking to China to assume a leadership role in global climate efforts
🔭 The context: Trump’s return to power threatens to reverse U.S. climate policies, including Biden-era financial pledges and emission reduction targets
• Simultaneously, China’s growing influence is complicated by its dual role as the world’s top polluter and leading green technology provider
• These dynamics have strained global climate negotiations and highlighted geopolitical divides
🌍 Why it matters for the planet: The uncertainty surrounding U.S. participation weakens global efforts to maintain momentum toward climate goals, particularly the 1.5°C limit
• Meanwhile, developing nations face growing climate risks with insufficient financial support
• Without cohesive leadership, the global fight against climate change risks losing critical time
⏭️ What's next: China is expected to fill some of the leadership void left by the U.S., though questions remain about its commitment to transparency and accountability
• COP30 will need to address lingering uncertainties while fostering stronger commitments to emissions reductions and climate finance
• Trump’s policies are likely to shape the global climate agenda significantly over the next four years
💬 One quote: “This has become the COP of uncertainty because of that change [in U.S. leadership],” - Carlos Fuller, Belize’s representative to the UN
📈 One stat: China announced providing $25 billion in climate finance to developing nations since 2016 under its "South-South Cooperation" initiative
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