Argentina’s COP29 Withdrawal Sparks Fears of Renewed Climate Accord Backsliding
A photograph of Argentinian President Javier Milei with Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago has fueled speculation that Argentina may follow the US in withdrawing from the Paris Agreement on climate change. The image, posted on social media by presidentialspokesperson Manuel Adorni, shows Milei and newly appointed Foreign Minister Gerardo Werthein alongside Trump and Elon Musk. This meeting, reportedly Milei’sfirst in-person encounter with Trump since the latter’s election victory, comes on the heels of a controversial recall of Argentina’s delegation from the COP29 climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan.
The timing is deeply unsettling.Just a day before the abrupt recall order, Milei spoke with Trump by phone. While the Argentinian government claims the withdrawal allows the new foreign minister to re-evaluate the situation and reflect on our position, the move has ignitedconcerns, particularly given Trump’s stated intention to withdraw the US from the Paris Agreement should he win re-election.
The photograph, showing a convivial gathering at Trump’s Florida estate, further strengthens these concerns. Werthein, a businessman appointed by Milei as ambassador to the US in April, onlyrecently assumed his role as foreign minister after the dismissal of his predecessor, Santiago Cafiero, following Argentina’s vote at the UN General Assembly to support a resolution critical of US policies.
A Pattern of Climate Skepticism:
Milei, known for his climate change skepticism—he has publicly dismissed it asa lie—dismantled Argentina’s environment ministry shortly after taking office. This action, coupled with Argentina’s significant fossil fuel reserves (holding the world’s second-largest shale gas and fourth-largest shale oil reserves), mirrors the approach of the Trump administration. The parallel is striking: bothleaders downplay the urgency of climate action while simultaneously benefiting from a robust fossil fuel industry.
The 2017 US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement under Trump set a concerning precedent. While President Biden rejoined the accord in 2021, the specter of a renewed withdrawal under a second Trump termlooms large. The potential for Argentina to become the first country to follow suit is a significant development that demands close scrutiny. Previous threats by former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, dubbed the Brazilian Trump, to withdraw from the agreement ultimately remained unfulfilled, but the current situation presents a different dynamic.
Global Responseand the Shifting Landscape:
Representatives from multiple nations attending COP29 have expressed their views on the matter. While acknowledging the potential for a setback, many emphasize that the global context has shifted significantly since Trump’s first term. The growing economic and social costs associated with climate change, coupled with technological advancements in renewableenergy, suggest that a complete abandonment of the Paris Agreement is unlikely to gain widespread support. However, the actions of Argentina, a nation with substantial fossil fuel resources and a leader openly dismissive of climate science, present a significant challenge to global climate cooperation. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether Argentina’s actions represent a broader trend or an isolated incident.
References:
- X (formerly Twitter) posts by Manuel Adorni (Specific URLs to be inserted here upon access to the original posts).
- News reports from [Insert reputable news sources such as Reuters, Associated Press, etc., with specific URLs].
(Note: Image URLs provided in the prompt have been noted but cannot be directly incorporated into this response. They should be added to the article upon publication.)
Views: 0