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CNN
8 hours ago
- Politics
- CNN
The US is sitting out the most consequential climate summit in a decade. It may offer a victory to China
The Trump administration fired the last of the US climate negotiators earlier this month, helping cement America's withdrawal from international climate diplomacy. It may also have handed a huge victory to China. The elimination of the State Department's Office of Global Change — which represents the United States in climate change negotiations between countries — leaves the world's largest historical polluter with no official presence at one of the most consequential climate summits in a decade: COP30, the annual UN climate talks in Belém, Brazil, in November. Without State's climate staff in place, even Capitol Hill lawmakers who usually attend the summits have been unable to get accredited, a source familiar with the process said. COP30 is intended to be a landmark summit, setting the global climate agenda for the next 10 years — an absolutely crucial decade as the world hurtles toward ever more catastrophic levels of warming. The US is 'abandoning its responsibilities in the midst of a planetary emergency,' said Harjeet Singh, a longtime climate advocate, COP negotiations veteran and founding director of Satat Sampada Climate Foundation, a climate justice organization. The US role in climate negotiations has always been marked by contradiction, he told CNN. 'It has championed ambition in rhetoric while expanding domestic fossil fuel extraction.' But its absence creates a 'dangerous vacuum,' he said. One of President Donald Trump's first acts in office was to pull the US out of the Paris climate agreement, which he also did in his first term. The elimination of the State climate office is yet another sign of the administration's hard line rejection of climate action. A State Department spokesperson said 'any relevant related work will be managed in other offices in the Department as appropriate.' They did not directly respond to CNN's question on whether it would send representatives to COP30. Experts fear the US absence may derail climate ambition. Wealthy countries, including those in Europe, may use it as a 'license to backtrack,' said Chiara Martinelli, director of Climate Action Network Europe, a coalition of climate non-profits. Poorer countries may lose faith in the process, she told CNN. But most significantly, it could hand a geopolitical advantage to China, allowing America's most formidable global competitor to position itself as a more reliable and stable global partner, experts told CNN. The State Department spokesperson did not comment on what the US withdrawing from Paris would mean for China. China is building out clean energy at a blistering pace, as the US takes a chainsaw to its wind and solar sectors and makes a hard turn back toward fossil fuels. 'It is likely that China's voice will be heard more loudly (at COP30), as they have identified growth in green technologies as a key pillar of their economic strategy,' said Joeri Rogelj, a climate scientist at Imperial College London. In a statement to CNN, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs called climate change a 'common challenge faced by mankind.' 'No country can stay out of it, and no country can be immune to it,' the Chinese statement said. The question is whether China will make good on the strong language, and lead by example without its world-power counterpart. All countries have until September to submit new goals to limit climate pollution over the next decade, and China has a history of setting weak targets for itself. Meanwhile, it continues to power plants that run on coal — the most polluting fossil fuel. These goals will provide a road map for climate action between now and 2035, and China, being the world's most-polluting country, will help determine the planet's climate trajectory. China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not answer specific questions about its forthcoming goals, but said the country 'will work with all parties concerned' to 'actively respond to the challenges of climate change, and jointly promote the global green and low-carbon transformation process.' The US has traditionally pushed China to make more ambitious pledges, with varying degrees of success. Climate was the one bright spot in an otherwise strained US-China relationship under the Biden administration. The two nations struck a significant deal nearly two years ago, pledging to ramp up renewables and curb planet-warming gases. 'We were the country that put pressure on them more than any other,' said the source familiar with the process. But it's a very different world now. As COP30 looms, China will not be facing that same pressure. The Biden administration proffered an ambitious US target before leaving office, a cut of 61-66% below 2005 levels by 2035. This would have been tough even under a Democratic administration that favors clean energy. It's vanishingly unlikely under the Trump administration with its 'drill, baby, drill' mantra. That leaves all eyes on China. Its target is by far the most consequential for the climate, experts told CNN. The country has a well-established pattern of under-promising and over-delivering. Its most recent target gave the country until 'around' 2030 to peak its climate pollution. Independent analysis shows it is likely this has already happened, five years ahead of schedule, and pollution is now starting to decline. Biden administration officials had encouraged China to put forward a sharp pollution cut of 30% by 2035. But some experts anticipate a much more tepid target giving China plenty of wiggle room. 'Beijing has been sending signals that those demands are just too high, rather unrealistic and unfair in their view,' said Li Shuo, director of the China climate hub at the Asia Society Policy Institute. 'It is very safe to say there will be a gap. And potentially that gap will be rather significant.' Shuo and colleagues at the Asia Society believe China will put forward a high single-digit or a low double-digit figure for pollution cuts. The number matters, said former US climate envoy Todd Stern. A strong, ambitious goal from China 'would affect numbers all over the world and it would affect the perception of whether COP is making decent progress or not,' he added. Even if its climate pledges lack ambition, China is still leagues ahead of the rest of the world when it comes to clean energy. It is currently building 510 gigawatts of utility-scale solar and wind capacity, according to Global Energy Monitor. This will add to the eye-popping 1,400 gigawatts already online — five times what is operating in the US. The big sticking point is coal, the dirtiest fossil fuel, to which China remains wedded. 'They're building every five years as much coal as remains in the US,' Duke said. That's the paradox of the US withdrawal, Singh said. 'It could advance China's global climate leadership while simultaneously easing the pressure on Beijing to accelerate its difficult transition away from fossil fuels.'
CNN
8 hours ago
- Politics
- CNN
The US is sitting out the most consequential climate summit in a decade. It may offer a victory to China
The Trump administration fired the last of the US climate negotiators earlier this month, helping cement America's withdrawal from international climate diplomacy. It may also have handed a huge victory to China. The elimination of the State Department's Office of Global Change — which represents the United States in climate change negotiations between countries — leaves the world's largest historical polluter with no official presence at one of the most consequential climate summits in a decade: COP30, the annual UN climate talks in Belém, Brazil, in November. Without State's climate staff in place, even Capitol Hill lawmakers who usually attend the summits have been unable to get accredited, a source familiar with the process said. COP30 is intended to be a landmark summit, setting the global climate agenda for the next 10 years — an absolutely crucial decade as the world hurtles toward ever more catastrophic levels of warming. The US is 'abandoning its responsibilities in the midst of a planetary emergency,' said Harjeet Singh, a longtime climate advocate, COP negotiations veteran and founding director of Satat Sampada Climate Foundation, a climate justice organization. The US role in climate negotiations has always been marked by contradiction, he told CNN. 'It has championed ambition in rhetoric while expanding domestic fossil fuel extraction.' But its absence creates a 'dangerous vacuum,' he said. One of President Donald Trump's first acts in office was to pull the US out of the Paris climate agreement, which he also did in his first term. The elimination of the State climate office is yet another sign of the administration's hard line rejection of climate action. A State Department spokesperson said 'any relevant related work will be managed in other offices in the Department as appropriate.' They did not directly respond to CNN's question on whether it would send representatives to COP30. Experts fear the US absence may derail climate ambition. Wealthy countries, including those in Europe, may use it as a 'license to backtrack,' said Chiara Martinelli, director of Climate Action Network Europe, a coalition of climate non-profits. Poorer countries may lose faith in the process, she told CNN. But most significantly, it could hand a geopolitical advantage to China, allowing America's most formidable global competitor to position itself as a more reliable and stable global partner, experts told CNN. The State Department spokesperson did not comment on what the US withdrawing from Paris would mean for China. China is building out clean energy at a blistering pace, as the US takes a chainsaw to its wind and solar sectors and makes a hard turn back toward fossil fuels. 'It is likely that China's voice will be heard more loudly (at COP30), as they have identified growth in green technologies as a key pillar of their economic strategy,' said Joeri Rogelj, a climate scientist at Imperial College London. In a statement to CNN, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs called climate change a 'common challenge faced by mankind.' 'No country can stay out of it, and no country can be immune to it,' the Chinese statement said. The question is whether China will make good on the strong language, and lead by example without its world-power counterpart. All countries have until September to submit new goals to limit climate pollution over the next decade, and China has a history of setting weak targets for itself. Meanwhile, it continues to power plants that run on coal — the most polluting fossil fuel. These goals will provide a road map for climate action between now and 2035, and China, being the world's most-polluting country, will help determine the planet's climate trajectory. China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not answer specific questions about its forthcoming goals, but said the country 'will work with all parties concerned' to 'actively respond to the challenges of climate change, and jointly promote the global green and low-carbon transformation process.' The US has traditionally pushed China to make more ambitious pledges, with varying degrees of success. Climate was the one bright spot in an otherwise strained US-China relationship under the Biden administration. The two nations struck a significant deal nearly two years ago, pledging to ramp up renewables and curb planet-warming gases. 'We were the country that put pressure on them more than any other,' said the source familiar with the process. But it's a very different world now. As COP30 looms, China will not be facing that same pressure. The Biden administration proffered an ambitious US target before leaving office, a cut of 61-66% below 2005 levels by 2035. This would have been tough even under a Democratic administration that favors clean energy. It's vanishingly unlikely under the Trump administration with its 'drill, baby, drill' mantra. That leaves all eyes on China. Its target is by far the most consequential for the climate, experts told CNN. The country has a well-established pattern of under-promising and over-delivering. Its most recent target gave the country until 'around' 2030 to peak its climate pollution. Independent analysis shows it is likely this has already happened, five years ahead of schedule, and pollution is now starting to decline. Biden administration officials had encouraged China to put forward a sharp pollution cut of 30% by 2035. But some experts anticipate a much more tepid target giving China plenty of wiggle room. 'Beijing has been sending signals that those demands are just too high, rather unrealistic and unfair in their view,' said Li Shuo, director of the China climate hub at the Asia Society Policy Institute. 'It is very safe to say there will be a gap. And potentially that gap will be rather significant.' Shuo and colleagues at the Asia Society believe China will put forward a high single-digit or a low double-digit figure for pollution cuts. The number matters, said former US climate envoy Todd Stern. A strong, ambitious goal from China 'would affect numbers all over the world and it would affect the perception of whether COP is making decent progress or not,' he added. Even if its climate pledges lack ambition, China is still leagues ahead of the rest of the world when it comes to clean energy. It is currently building 510 gigawatts of utility-scale solar and wind capacity, according to Global Energy Monitor. This will add to the eye-popping 1,400 gigawatts already online — five times what is operating in the US. The big sticking point is coal, the dirtiest fossil fuel, to which China remains wedded. 'They're building every five years as much coal as remains in the US,' Duke said. That's the paradox of the US withdrawal, Singh said. 'It could advance China's global climate leadership while simultaneously easing the pressure on Beijing to accelerate its difficult transition away from fossil fuels.'
Indian Express
6 days ago
- Politics
- Indian Express
The Hague: Countries obliged to take climate action, liable for compensation if they don't
In a landmark decision, the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the main judicial arm of the United Nations, has ruled that countries were obligated under international law to take actions to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases, and the failure to do so would constitute an 'internationally wrongful act'. The court, based in The Hague, said countries which do not fulfil their climate obligations could be held liable to pay compensations to other countries, particularly the small island nations, which bear the brunt of climate disasters. The ICJ ruling came in a case that arose out of a request from the UN General Assembly that sought its 'advisory opinion' on the obligations of countries on climate change under existing international laws, and the legal consequences of those obligations. The court, in a unanimous ruling, said that countries that were party to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the 2015 Paris Agreement had an obligation to adopt measures that were aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and adapting to climate change. It said that the rich countries had an additional obligation to take the lead on climate actions. The court examined the responsibilities of the countries under a wider set of environmental laws that have a bearing on the climate system. These include the UN Convention on the Laws of the Seas, the Montreal Protocol for protecting Ozone, the Convention on Biodiversity and the Convention to Combat Desertification. The ruling, though only advisory in nature, was hailed by climate activists worldwide. 'The ICJ's historic Advisory Opinion marks a watershed moment in the fight for climate justice. It's a resounding declaration that the era of impunity for polluters and complicit states is over,' said Harjeet Singh, climate activist and founding director of Satat Sampada Climate Foundation. The ICJ ruling is not binding on the countries, but sets an important precedent for the thousands of climate lawsuits that have been filed in recent years across the world, seeking accountability from governments and corporates.
Time of India
16-07-2025
- Time of India
Judge's personal security officer shoots self to death with his service revolver in Mohali
A Punjab Police head constable, posted as the personal security officer (PSO) to the sub-divisional judicial magistrate (SDJM) in Dera Bassi, allegedly died by suicide after shooting himself with his service revolver late Wednesday evening. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The deceased was identified as Harjeet Singh, a resident of Sundran village in Dera Bassi. His bullet-ridden and blood-stained body was found inside a locked Honda Amaze car, which belonged to the SDJM, police said. Confirming the incident, Dera Bassi deputy superintendent of Police (DSP) Bikramjit Singh Brar said that the police were alerted after the judge informed them that his PSO had gone to drop his daughter off but failed to return and his phone had been switched off. "Following the call, the SHO of Dera Bassi police station launched a search. Later, a constable from Chandigarh Police who lives near the area noticed the vehicle with the officer's body inside and informed the local police," said DSP Brar. Upon reaching the scene, police found the car engine running and the vehicle locked from inside. 'We had to break the window to open the door. The head constable had shot himself in the middle of his forehead. His service revolver was recovered from inside the vehicle,' the DSP added. No suicide note was found from the spot. The motive behind the alleged suicide remains unknown. DSP Brar said that preliminary inquiry revealed that Harjeet Singh was a well-mannered and soft-spoken individual. 'He had worked as a PSO to several judges in the past and had never shown signs of stress or depression,' he said. The deceased's mobile phone has been seized for forensic examination, and his family has been informed. The police have initiated inquest proceedings under Section 174 of the CrPC, and further investigations are underway.
India.com
30-06-2025
- Health
- India.com
SHOCKING! Punjab Cricketer Collapses And Dies After Hitting Six In Local Firozpur Match, Video Goes Viral
A local cricket match in Firozpur, Punjab turned into a heartbreaking tragedy when 34-year-old Harjeet Singh collapsed and died moments after hitting a six. The shocking incident, captured on video and now viral on social media, has left the local sports community and cricket fans in disbelief. Final Six Turns Fatal The incident occurred during a local match at the DAV School Ground in Firozpur. Harjeet Singh, who was on 49 runs, struck a powerful six and began walking toward the non-striker's end to celebrate with his batting partner. As seen in the viral video, he suddenly kneeled and then collapsed on the pitch without any prior signs of distress. According to teammate Rachit Sodhi, Harjeet was about to shake hands with the other batsman when he fell. "He went down on his knees and then collapsed face-first. It was shocking," Sodhi recounted. A local cricketer in Ferozepur hit a six off a delivery, but just moments later, he suffered a heart attack and tragically collapsed on the ground, losing his life. — Vipin Tiwari (@Vipintiwari952) June 29, 2025 CPR Attempts Fail, Declared Dead at Hospital Players immediately rushed to Singh's aid, performing CPR and trying to revive him. Despite their best efforts, he remained unresponsive. Harjeet was rushed to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead. The cause was identified as cardiac arrest. A Beloved Figure in the Local Community Harjeet Singh was a carpenter by profession and a passionate cricketer who played regularly for his local club. Known for his active lifestyle, he was married and leaves behind a young son. His sudden passing has left his teammates, friends, and family devastated. 'He loved cricket more than anything. He was fit, never complained of any health issues,' Sodhi added. Rising Cardiac Arrest Cases in Sports and Entertainment This incident has once again raised concerns about the growing number of sudden cardiac arrests among seemingly healthy individuals, especially in high-adrenaline environments like sports. In a related tragedy, Bollywood actress Shefali Jariwala, best known for her appearance in the 2002 hit music video Kaanta Laga and her stint in Bigg Boss 13, passed away recently in Mumbai at the age of 42 due to cardiac arrest. Her sudden death further highlights the alarming trend of early heart-related fatalities. Urgent Need for Medical Preparedness at Sporting Events Harjeet Singh's tragic demise has reignited discussions around the need for better medical preparedness during local and amateur sports events. Experts stress the importance of having trained first responders, automated external defibrillators (AEDs), and immediate access to emergency medical services to prevent such fatalities. As tributes pour in for Singh, many are calling on local sports authorities to ensure more stringent safety protocols at grassroots-level matches to protect players' lives.
