US Climate Action Will Persist Beyond Trump, Kerry Asserts Ahead of COP29

Despite the potential re-election of climate-skeptic Donald Trump as US president, the United States’ commitment to climate action is not likely to reverse course, according to the US climate envoy John Kerry.

Speaking ahead of the COP29 climate talks, Kerry reassured global leaders that US climate efforts will continue, regardless of political shifts in Washington.

Kerry emphasized that the momentum for climate action in the US has grown far beyond any one administration. “The US government is fully committed to meeting its climate goals, and while political leadership may change, the climate movement in the country is unstoppable,” Kerry stated. He also noted that key states, cities, and businesses in the US are heavily invested in reducing emissions and transitioning to renewable energy, signaling that these efforts will persist even if a climate-skeptic administration takes office again.

Kerry’s remarks come amid concerns that a second term under Trump could lead to a rollback of environmental policies, as happened during his first term when the US withdrew from the Paris Agreement. However, Kerry pointed out that, since the US rejoined the Paris Agreement under President Biden, the country has made significant progress, including a historic investment in clean energy through the Inflation Reduction Act.

Looking to the future, Kerry highlighted that climate action must be a priority for every nation, especially as the world faces the intensifying impacts of climate change. “The science is clear, and the urgency is undeniable. The US is part of a global effort to reduce emissions and mitigate climate risks,” he said, stressing that the stakes for human health, the economy, and the planet’s stability are too high to let political shifts derail progress.

While the outlook for US climate leadership under a Trump administration remains uncertain, Kerry’s comments suggest that the broader US commitment to addressing climate change may persist, driven by public demand, corporate responsibility, and state-level initiatives.

Last month, the UN warned the world is on a path toward a catastrophic 3.1C of warming this century based on current actions.

More than 51,000 people are expected at COP29 talks, which run from November 11 to 22.