There are inescapable, hard facts. On November 5, 2024, Donald Trump was elected President of the United States. Six days later, on November 11th, COP29 began in Baku, Azerbaijan. But the U.S. Delegation in Baku is from President Biden’s administration, which will end in January.
So, two key members of the U.S. Delegation faced tough questions in Baku. Right up front.
Difficult Truths
On Monday, November 11th, John Podesta held a press conference. Podesta is Senior Advisor to the President for International Climate Policy.
He conceded some difficult truths in his opening remarks at the press conference:
“For those of us dedicated to climate action, last week’s outcome in the United States is obviously bitterly disappointing, particularly because of the unprecedented resources and ambition President Biden and Vice President Harris brought to the climate fight.
It’s clear that the next Administration will try to take a U turn and reverse much of this progress.”
On Tuesday, November 12th, Ali Zaidi was interviewed closely by Pilita Clark.
Zaidi is the White House National Climate Advisor.
Clark is Associate Editor and Business Columnist at the U.K. based Financial Times.
Zaidi was no less candid than Podesta during his interview:
“I’ve always said that leadership matters in Washington. And I won’t change my answer now that we know the results of the election.”
A Path Forward
But then, each U.S. Delegate explained why he believes there is still a path forward, at COP29 and beyond..
Zaidi began by comparing 2017, when the first Trump administration began, to 2024.
- The “energy landscape” is different. Over 600 factories are in construction or in operation producing clean energy technologies across the U.S. with a workforce of over 300,000. While he acknowledges the fragile, current inflection point in technological and manufacturing infrastructure development, “there is a real, physical economy” supporting green steel, green cement and green hydrogen.
- The “policy landscape” at the state level is different. There are many more Democratic governors leading states and those governors are invested in policies to support the clean economy.
- “Techno economics” are different. Solar, wind and battery technologies are cheaper. And now hydrogen, nuclear and geothermal add to the array of tools needed to decarbonize.
Podesta’s opening remarks at the press conference included these observations about the path forward:
“But what I want to tell you today is that while the United States federal government under Donald Trump may put climate action on the back burner, the work to contain climate change is going to continue in the United States with commitment and passion and belief.
This is not the end of our fight for a cleaner, safer planet. Facts are still facts. Science is still science.”
Podesta also noted several areas of ongoing strength that may endure even during the incoming administration:
- Global partnerships have been forged among the nations of the world. “And our global partners know that addressing the climate crisis also bolsters their own national security and global security… while creating jobs… new industries… and new opportunities.”
- The Inflation Reduction Act has sparked a growth in clean energy that has been government enabled, but private sector led. “Here at COP29 and moving forward, the private sector must continue to lead – to make new and bigger investments in clean energy technologies, to continue to innovate and build a net zero economy.”
- The “We Are Still in” movement remain active, even when a federal administration is not. “It’s now grown into the most expansive coalition ever assembled in support of U.S. climate action, with more than 5,000 states, businesses, local governments, tribal nations, universities, and more.”
For a deeper dive into the entire press conference, the video is available here.
And the opening remarks are transcribed here.
California, An Important “Sub-National”
As a Californian, I noted that both John Podesta and Ali Zaidi emphasized how important the climate leadership of “sub-nationals” will be during the next administration. Podesta even called out to one of our official California delegates and climate leaders during his press conference.
California Interfaith Power & Light is going to be very busy during the next four years.
Guest Post: COP29 – It Begins by Amy Quirk