The United States has withdrawn from a global agreement designed to provide financial compensation to developing nations for climate change impacts, eliciting disappointment from the African Group of Negotiators. Climate advocates highlight the implications of this withdrawal for vulnerable countries and call for accountability from the largest historical emitter of carbon emissions.
The United States has announced its withdrawal from a global arrangement that aimed to provide financial compensation for climate change impacts on developing nations. This decision has been met with significant disappointment from the African Group of Negotiators (AGN), which emphasizes the need for continued support for those nations facing severe environmental challenges.
Ali Mohamed, chair of the AGN, criticized the decision, stating it threatens vital assistance for vulnerable countries dealing with irreversible climate effects. Notably, the United States has been recognized as having the largest historical responsibility for climate change.
Rebecca Lawlor, the Deputy Director at the US Office of Climate and Environment, officially communicated the withdrawal to the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage Co-Chair. The letter affirmed that both US representatives on the board would resign without replacement by another US member.
The establishment of the fund was a significant outcome of the UN climate conference in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, in 2022, following extensive advocacy from developing nations. The operationalization of this fund is scheduled for January 1, 2025, during COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Climate activist Harjeet Singh condemned the withdrawal as a continuation of the US government’s pattern of hindering necessary financial resources for climate action, asserting that it undermines global climate justice efforts. He emphasized that the United States, as the largest historical emitter, must be held accountable for its role in contributing to climate-related issues affecting vulnerable communities globally.
The withdrawal of the United States from the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage poses significant risks to developing nations reliant on climate impact compensation. This decision has been criticized by global leaders and activists who stress the importance of accountability, particularly for the nation with the largest historical contributions to climate change. Continued support for vulnerable populations remains critical as the global community prepares to operationalize the fund in 2025.
Original Source: www.theweek.in
