U.S. Absence at Key UN Climate Meeting Raises Concerns Over Global Cooperation

The U.S. decision to skip the IPCC meeting in China fuels uncertainty about its role in shaping climate policy and the future of the Paris Agreement goals.

The United States did not send a delegation to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) meeting in Hangzhou, China, sparking concerns about its continued commitment to global climate efforts.
The meeting aims to finalize the timeline for the IPCC's next assessment report, which is critical for the 2028 UN stocktake on climate progress.
Key U.S. scientists, including NASA's chief scientist, were reportedly issued a stop-work order by the Trump administration, further complicating the IPCC's work.
UN officials emphasized the urgency of addressing climate change, warning that the Paris Agreement's 1.5°C target is still achievable but nearing its limit.
Major emitters such as China, India, Russia, and Saudi Arabia oppose an accelerated timeline for the report, citing concerns over feasibility.