The United States they withdraw from Loss and Damage Fundthe bottom that compensates the poorest countries for damage to global warming. A decision that marks a new chapter in American climatic policy, and which rekindles the debate on the responsibilities of the richest states in the fight against climate change.
The decision of the Trump Administration to withdraw the United States from Fund for losses and damage to the COP28 He raised a wave of international criticisms and concerns. This fund represented a fundamental step towards the climatic justice. Now, the withdrawal of the world’s largest economy and the largest historical greenhouse gas emitter He risks undermining trust in multilateral processes and leaving the most vulnerable countries without the promised economic support.
A betrayed climatic commitment
The Fund for losses and damage was the result of decades of negotiations and pressures by the nations most affected by climate change. The agreement signed to the COP28 in 2023 had been seen as a turning point, recognizing the responsibility of the rich countries in the environmental devastations of which developing countries are the main victims. However, the promise of financial support by the United States had already been modest: only 17.5 million dollarsa negligible figure compared to real needs. Now, the total withdrawal throws a shadow on the US commitment in the fight against climate change.
Global reactions: indignation and concern
The decision met a tough condemnation by activists, experts and political representatives from all over the world. Mohamed Adow, director of the Think Tank Power Shift Africa, stressed that the retreat of the US sends a worrying message to the international community, putting the progress made at risk and undermining the necessary cooperation to face the climatic crisis. Rachel Rose Jackson of Corporate Accountability also criticized the move, calling it a “demolition ball” for global mitigation efforts of climate change.
Ali Mohamedpresident of theAfrican Group of negotiatorshighlighted how this decision jeopardizes vital support for the nations most affected by extreme climatic events. The lack of adequate funding means that millions of people in the most vulnerable countries will continue to undergo the devastating consequences of floods, drought and desertification without any help.
A return to the past
It is not the first time that the Trump administration distances itself from global climatic commitments. Already in 2017, The Tycoon had withdrawn the United States from the Paris agreementexcept then return to you under the Biden Presidency. Now, the new retreat confirms a closing attitude towards environmental diplomacy and a return to policies focused on exploitation of fossil fuels. Trump’s strategy to encourage the oil industry and to weaken federal agencies for environmental protection risks further aggravate the climatic crisis.
The price of the speech
The consequences of climate change are increasingly evident, even in the United States themselves. Extreme climatic eventslike the Fires in California and the floods in Floridaare already causing billionaire damage. Ignore the need for coordinated global action could lead to even higher costs, both in economic and human -lives.
Meanwhile, the Chinathe largest current greenhouse gas emitter, is investing massively in renewable energiestaking on a leadership position in the sector. The United States, on the other hand, risk losing ground, both from an environmental and economic point of view, if they continue to focus on fossil sources and escape their climatic responsibilities.
In the meantime, the most vulnerable nations continue to fight, with less and less resources, against an environmental and climatic crisis that have not helped to create.
