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The United States has withdrawn from a key global climate assessment, preventing American scientists from participating in the UN Climate Change Assessment, according to sources. Reuters reports that this decision includes halting climate change mitigation efforts and reducing multilateral cooperation.
Impact on US Research Agencies
This move directly affects employees from the US Global Change Research Program and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). These professionals are involved in a crucial working group of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), which plays a significant role in global climate research.
US to Skip Upcoming IPCC Meeting
According to sources, the US will not attend the IPCC meeting scheduled in Hangzhou, China, next week. The gathering is intended to plan the Seventh World Climate Assessment. Despite these developments, the White House and the US State Department have not provided any official comments.
Concerns Over US Withdrawal
The IPCC plays a vital role in global climate policy. Delta Merner from the Union of Concerned Scientists expressed concerns over the US withdrawing from the process. While American scientists will continue their climate research, their absence from IPCC discussions will be noticeable.
China Unaware of US Exit
The upcoming IPCC meeting (February 24-28) in Hangzhou is expected to shape future climate strategies, including carbon removal and capture technology. However, China's Foreign Ministry has stated that they have no information regarding the US withdrawal.
US-Malaysia Climate Initiative in Limbo
The US was co-chairing a climate mitigation working group with Malaysia, focusing on reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The US had also pledged $1.5 million to support the IPCC, but the funds have not yet been provided.
Not a Surprise for Climate Scientists
The US departure from the IPCC is unsurprising to climate experts. President Donald Trump had previously pulled the country out of the Paris Climate Agreement and terminated several international climate partnerships. This latest decision reinforces the administration’s stance on limiting US involvement in global climate initiatives.
