Global Climate Negotiations: Election Uncertainty Looms Over U.N. Summit

Countries could use the upcoming U.N. meetings to resolve differences over climate finance, but U.S. election uncertainty may hinder progress ahead of the next U.N. climate summit in November. Negotiators are reluctant to make commitments without knowing the next U.S. president, risking a new deal before the current $100 billion pledge expires.

Countries have an opportunity during next week's U.N. meetings in New York to resolve significant differences over the world's annual climate finance goals. However, the looming uncertainty of the upcoming U.S. presidential election threatens to derail progress before the November U.N. climate summit.

Negotiators expressed hesitation in committing to positions without knowing the outcome of the Nov. 5 election, which will decide climate policy for the world's largest economy and biggest polluter for the next four years. Delaying decisions until November could jeopardize chances of forming a new deal, with the existing $100 billion financing pledge ending this year.

Negotiators are wary of the different scenarios posed by potential wins from Vice President Kamala Harris, former President Donald Trump, or an indeterminate election result. This uncertainty is significantly impacting how countries are positioning themselves in global climate talks. Wealthy nations are withholding specific finance commitments pending the U.S. election outcome, adding complexity to an already tricky target-setting process.

(With inputs from agencies.)