In his speech at the United Nations COP27 summit, President Joe Biden asserted that the United States “is back as a global leader on climate change.” This statement contrasted with the position of the previous US administration, with Biden accusing it of neglecting the fight against climate change and its ramifications. In addition, Biden linked meeting the outcomes of the Paris Agreement to US domestic policies. He emphasised that the passing of the Inflation Reduction Act will have around $370 billion in clean energy investments. This will reduce the use of greenhouse gases. Biden spoke about the “emissions curve,” and how it must not increase since any upward trend will be reflective of more usage of gases that harm the environment.
Focusing more on US domestic politics, Biden made it clear that those contractors working for the federal government must show how they intend to calculate their carbon emissions. He also announced new rules for the Environmental Protection Agency so that it cuts methane emissions from oil and gas at a rate lower than the one in 2005. Biden announced new environmental partnerships with Africa and the Pacific Island nations.
Biden linked the global climate crisis to the survival of the human race.
He said: “The climate crisis is about human security, economic security, environmental security, national security, and the very life of the planet.” Prior to Biden’s speech, the US Special Representative for Climate Change, John Kerry announced the new US initiative whereby the US administration will pay cash to any business that replaces its carbon emission with other alternatives.
During his speech, Biden made references to Russia. He stated that “Russia’s war only enhances the urgency of the need to transition the world off its dependence on fossil fuels.”
On the other hand, there were demands by many Third World and developing countries at the summit that they must receive monetary compensation for the damage their economies and societies have suffered because of the industrial policies pursued by many countries in the West, including the US. Their atmospheric areas have been polluted with many greenhouse gases. In addition, their territories have been arenas where deposits of spent-nuclear fuel have been disposed. However, the US delegation has yet to respond to these demands and pleas.
While Biden’s speech was insightful, a few critical points can be drawn from it. First, repeatedly, he spoke about climate change as a “crisis.” This negative portrayal could induce a sense of pessimism that humankind is unable to overcome its climate change ordeal. Second, Biden should have explained how the summit would deliver on the landmark Paris Agreement.
In addition, Biden should have given more details on his pledge to reduce emissions by 50% more than what was agreed upon in 2005 by 2030. Additionally, Biden should have talked about how the estimated 11 billion dollars the US provides to helping other countries fight climate change is actually allocated and spent.
In a different context, China, the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases, was trying to defeat the US at the summit. Beijing made it clear to the world that it has big plans to produce solar energy and electric cars. It is important to note that the global competition between the US and China to lead the global fight against climate change does not preclude some form of initial understanding or cooperation between the two countries. However, if they embrace the competitive track, both countries will lose credibility in front of global public opinion as they will be viewed as putting their interests before saving the planet. Quite interestingly, according to Alexandra Hackbarth, an expert on China at the Washington-based climate change think tank E3G: “The geopolitical competition can actually be helpful…the US doing more [on climate] can lead China to do more.”
Nevertheless, there is a potential for US-China coordination on the environment if the summit puts a temporary halt to competition and rivalry on the matter for the sake of the greater good. Many of Biden’s advisers on the environment believe that China’s inadequate urban and rural infrastructure is a potential environmental catastrophe waiting to happen. Most Chinese experts who focus on the environment believe that US criticism of their country’s environmental policies is nothing more than an attempt to interfere in Chinese domestic affairs. The US wants guarantees from the Chinese side that Beijing will increase its efforts to combat climate change.
There could be other forms of collaboration to address the environment if a lack of cooperation between the US and China hinders progress in this area. This may include the establishment of a European-Middle Eastern-African axis or bloc to protect the environment. If this was to happen, it could give rise to Asian-Indian-Japanese coordination on the environment.
In the end, if countries continue to feel that there is inequality in how countries deal and feel about the environment, the hope of a “climate solidarity pact,” as declared by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, will be a pipedream rather than a realistic goal.
By Maria Maalouf
Maria Maalouf is a Lebanese journalist, broadcaster, publisher, and writer. She holds an MA in Political Sociology from the University of Lyon. Twitter: @bilarakib