South Africa concerned Trump election will impact climate talks

By Tim Cocks

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South Africa is concerned by the impact Donald Trump's election as the next president of the United States may have on talks to tackle climate change, its environment minister said on Friday.

Trump's election and the collapse of Germany's coalition government this week have come right before COP29 talks aimed at curbing global warming, which scientists blame for destructive hurricanes, floods and heatwaves across the world this year.

"We are concerned about America because we don't know what they're going to do ... how (it) is going to approach COP," South African Environment Minister Dion George told Reuters.

"Mr. Trump said that he would withdraw from the Paris Agreement, but we don't know what will happen," George added in a telephone interview on Friday.

International partners are concerned that the prospect of an administration led by Trump, who has called climate change a hoax, will de-motivate poor and middle-income countries who want rich nations to shoulder more of its financial burden.

South Africa, which is one of the world's top 15 greenhouse gas emitters and accounts for 30% of the continent's emissions, has accepted $11.6 billion from rich nations, mainly in loans, for a switch from coal to renewable energy.

This is seen as a potential model for other 'Global South' countries who say financing pledges of $100 billion, which took years to come through, are insufficient.

"It's certainly not enough. We need another target," George said. "But then the question is: as the voter base is shifting in developed economies, are they actually going to pay it?"

The South African minister said he had been reassured by German officials that Europe's stance at the COP29 climate talks will not be hurt by Berlin's political crisis.



George said that Jennifer Morgan, Germany's state secretary for international climate action, had contacted him to say it will be up to the European Union to maintain leadership.

"Their position is not changed and that is how they will approach COP," George said, adding: "They're on Team Europe. The European Union and German have clearly set out their objectives."

Source: Investing.com

Последние публикации
COP29 host urges collaboration as deal negotiations enter final stage
22.11.2024 - 10:00
Gold prices rise, set for strong weekly gains on Russia-Ukraine jitters
22.11.2024 - 08:00
Oil heads for weekly gains on anxiety over intensifying Ukraine war
22.11.2024 - 07:00
Oil rises as intensifying Ukraine war increases supply risk
22.11.2024 - 04:00
Oil prices rise, head for weekly gain on Russia-Ukraine tensions
22.11.2024 - 04:00
Exxon group pulls out of talks with Guyana over shallow water oil block, government says
21.11.2024 - 23:00
Exxon Mobil pulls out of talks with Guyana over shallow water oil block, gov says
21.11.2024 - 22:00
EU to cajole Trump on trade while readying tariff retaliation
21.11.2024 - 18:00
New York grid operator warns of undersupply in 2033
21.11.2024 - 18:00
Analysis-Trade demands clash with climate agenda at COP29 talks
21.11.2024 - 17:00
Crude and diesel prices gaining but rangebound: Citi
21.11.2024 - 16:00
Oil prices soars as Russia, Ukraine exchange missile strikes
21.11.2024 - 16:00
Oil up 2% after Russia-Ukraine missile exchange, outweighing US crude stock rises
21.11.2024 - 14:00
Nvidia sees past triple-digit growth
21.11.2024 - 13:00
Oil up on Russia-Ukraine missile exchange, outweighing US crude stock rises
21.11.2024 - 12:00

© Analytic DC. All Rights Reserved.

new
Анализ рынка Как повлият завтра отчет NFP на курс доллара США?