In a stunning turn of events, Donald Trump has emerged victorious in the 2024 U.S. presidential election, securing a remarkable comeback after his tumultuous first term. The former president, who faced numerous controversies including his refusal to accept defeat in 2020, a violent insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, multiple felony charges, and even two assassination attempts, has defied the odds to retake the Oval Office.
While Trump’s victory has undoubtedly reshaped the political landscape in America, it also signals a shift in global priorities, particularly regarding climate change. According to the Norwegian environmental group Bellona, Trump’s re-election marks a significant setback for international efforts to combat climate change, particularly in the United States’ role as a global leader in reducing carbon emissions. The group warns that under Trump’s administration, the U.S. will no longer be a driving force in achieving the critical global climate goal of limiting temperature rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
The 1.5°C target is a cornerstone of the Paris Agreement, the landmark international treaty aimed at combating climate change. However, during his first term, Trump famously withdrew the U.S. from the accord, citing concerns over economic impacts and the fairness of the agreement. While President Biden rejoined the agreement in 2021, Bellona’s statement suggests that Trump’s policies will likely reverse any progress made under the Biden administration, which sought to address climate change through aggressive carbon reduction goals and green energy initiatives.
“The election of Donald Trump means the U.S. will no longer be a global leader in the climate fight,” Frederic Hauge, founder of Bellona, remarked. “This will require Europe to step up significantly in the coming years. The European Union will become increasingly important, both in the fight against climate change and in driving technological development aimed at reducing carbon emissions.”
As the U.S. retreats from climate leadership, the EU is expected to shoulder much of the responsibility for advancing global climate action. European nations have already committed to ambitious carbon reduction targets, with the EU’s Green Deal aiming to make the continent the world’s first climate-neutral region by 2050. Now, with the U.S. potentially backtracking on climate commitments, the EU will be expected to take an even more prominent role on the world stage, not only in reducing emissions but in developing and deploying green technologies.
This shift could also have strategic implications for Europe, which may find itself in a more dominant position in geopolitical discussions surrounding energy security, technological innovation, and economic restructuring. With the growing urgency of addressing climate change, the EU’s ability to lead on this front will be tested in ways it has not been before
In the coming four years, Europe’s response to the evolving global climate crisis will be scrutinized more than ever. As the U.S. potentially pulls back from climate action under Trump’s leadership, the European Union will need to accelerate its efforts to protect both the planet and its own strategic interests. The challenge ahead is monumental, but it also presents an opportunity for Europe to emerge as the global beacon of climate progress.
