At the COP29 climate talks on Monday, the U.S. climate envoy reassured nations that a second Trump administration wouldn’t derail America’s climate efforts. Despite Trump’s election victory and his pledge to pull the U.S. out of the Paris Agreement, envoy John Podesta affirmed that U.S. cities, states, and citizens would persist in tackling climate issues independently.

“While federal action may slow, the commitment within the U.S. remains strong,” Podesta stated, emphasizing that the climate crisis transcends political cycles.

The talks in Baku kicked off with urgent calls for global cooperation, with UN climate chief Simon Stiell warning wealthier countries against viewing climate finance as “charity.” Discussions hit a stalemate almost immediately as countries debated financing and whether past commitments from COP28 should frame this year’s agenda.

Developing nations, led by advocates like Climate Action Network’s Tasneem Essop, demanded substantial climate finance, labeling it a “climate debt” owed by richer nations. 

Meanwhile, COP29 President Mukhtar Babayev acknowledged the financing need runs into trillions but cited a more “realistic” goal in the hundreds of billions.

Only a few G20 leaders are attending, while U.S. President Biden remains absent. Afghanistan, invited by host Azerbaijan, makes its first appearance since the Taliban regained control.

Amid the conference, fresh UN reports warn that 2024 is on track to break temperature records, underscoring the urgent need for intensified global action.