By Sama Marwan,
Wopke Hoekstra, the European Commissioner for Climate Action, stated that Brussels must double its efforts in climate diplomacy following former U.S. President Donald Trump’s renewed announcement to withdraw from international efforts to combat climate change, according to Spain’s La Vanguardia newspaper.
On the sidelines of the World Economic Forum held in Davos, the European Commissioner emphasized that the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement pushes signatory countries—primarily Europe—to reaffirm their commitment to combating global warming. He noted that the Paris Agreement aims to limit the rise in average global temperatures.
Hoekstra described the U.S. decision to step away from the global climate action process initiated a decade ago in Paris as unfortunate. He expressed regret over this expected move by Trump, citing that the U.S. is the world’s largest economy, one of the most influential powers, and the second-largest emitter of greenhouse gases. He added that this decision will have consequences.
Among these consequences is the fact that other major global powers will now need to decide who will take the lead ahead of the critical COP30 summit in Brazil. At this summit, countries are expected to outline their plans to intensify efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Hoekstra highlighted that significant work would be required before COP30 convenes. With the deadline approaching next month, only six countries have submitted updated commitments to meet the climate action requirements of the Paris Agreement, one of which was a final initiative by Joe Biden during the last days of his presidency.
Hoekstra acknowledged that it is unlikely the European Union will meet this deadline, as the EU’s executive body has yet to present its long-awaited proposal for reducing emissions by 2040. He said, “The most important thing is that we arrive in Brazil with the right level of ambition.”
Before that, the European Commission must, in the coming weeks, present a strategy to permanently reduce Europe’s reliance on Russian fossil fuel imports by 2027. However, since the U.S. is the EU’s top supplier of liquefied natural gas and Trump seeks to boost exports, some fear that Europe may remain dependent on fossil fuel imports, albeit from a different source.
According to Hoekstra, with or without the U.S., Europe must stay the course and continue its efforts to reduce dependence on fossil fuels. He pointed out that in the coming years, Europe will double its efforts in renewable energy, grid efficiency, and battery technology. “First and foremost, we will prioritize these efforts, and second, we will ensure greater clarity on improving our independence and reducing reliance on others.”
The Commissioner also noted that China currently accounts for 30% of global greenhouse gas emissions. For this reason, the EU remains highly committed to ensuring Beijing upholds its climate obligations.
Hoekstra emphasized that any solution to the global climate crisis will require close cooperation with the world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases, China. He stressed that a solution is unattainable “if they don’t play their part.”
He concluded, “Therefore, we will continue engaging with them and will keep demanding more, not less.”
