Joe Biden Will Skip COP28's Climate Meeting in Dubai, Says Official

US President Joe Biden has opted out of attending the United Nations "Conference of the Parties" on climate, known as COP28, which is set to kick off in Dubai this week.

Reuters had previously hinted at this likelihood, citing the President's challenges in navigating the Middle East conflict and the upcoming intensification of his presidential campaign in January.

Contrary to the global gathering's focus on climate change, the White House's Thursday schedule reveals President Biden engaging in a bilateral meeting with President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço of the Republic of Angola and participating in the National Tree Lighting event.

The absence marks a departure from his attendance at both COP summits since assuming office in 2021.

John Kerry to Represent Joe Biden in the UN's Climate Meeting

The anonymous official who disclosed Biden's nonattendance did not furnish a specific reason, but senior aides indicated the President's preoccupation with ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine.

John Kerry, Biden's special envoy for climate change, confirmed last week that pressing global matters, including conflicts, have commanded the administration's attention.

"They've got the war in the Middle East and a war in Ukraine, a bunch of things going on," Kerry said.

As a substitute, John Kerry and his team will represent the United States at the Dubai summit. Noteworthy figures such as King Charles III and Pope Francis are also expected to be in attendance, per the New York Post.

This marks the first time Biden will miss a UN climate meeting since assuming the presidency, having actively participated in the Glasgow summit in 2021 and a brief stopover in Egypt for last year's event.

Joe Biden Might Face Backlash From Climate Activists

Joe Biden's decision to skip this year's UN climate meeting might spark disapproval from climate activists, according to The Japan Times.

However, analysts argue that it is not customary for a US president to attend every climate summit.

In Dubai, leaders will address their progress, or lack thereof, in limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius over preindustrial levels, a critical threshold to mitigate the impacts of intensifying wildfires, heat waves, droughts, and storms.

Since the 2015 agreement to cut emissions and curb global warming below 2 degrees Celsius, the planet has already warmed by an average of 1.2 degrees Celsius.

While some countries, including the United States, have made strides in reducing greenhouse gases, global emissions persistently rise.

To avert catastrophic climate change impacts, scientists emphasize the need for a 43% reduction in emissions below 2019 levels by 2030, a far cry from the meager 7% reduction outlined in current national climate plans.

The COP28 summit is anticipated to draw around 70,000 participants, with the United States potentially facing criticism for not fulfilling commitments to aid developing nations in transitioning to clean energy and adapting to climate change.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

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