South Africa's Concerns Over Trump's Impact on COP29 Talks

By Tim Cocks

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) – South Africa is worried about the effects of Donald Trump being elected as the next U.S. president on climate change discussions, according to its environment minister.

Trump's election, alongside the collapse of Germany's coalition government, arrives just before COP29 negotiations aimed at addressing global warming. This warming has led to severe hurricanes, floods, and heatwaves worldwide this year, scientists claim.

"We are concerned about America because we don't know what they're going to do … how (it) is going to approach COP," said South African Environment Minister Dion George in a telephone interview on Friday.

George noted Trump's previous statement about withdrawing from the Paris Agreement, expressing uncertainty about future U.S. actions.

There is apprehension among international partners that a Trump-led administration, which has dismissed climate change as a hoax, could demoralize poorer countries seeking financial support from wealthier nations.

South Africa, one of the top 15 greenhouse gas emitters globally and responsible for 30% of Africa's emissions, has received $11.6 billion from rich countries, primarily as loans, to transition from coal to renewable energy. This strategy could serve as a model for other developing nations that find the pledged $100 billion insufficient.

"It's certainly not enough. We need another target," George stated. He questioned whether the changing voter base in developed nations would be willing to provide additional funding.

The minister received assurances from German officials that Europe’s position at COP29 would remain stable amid its political turmoil. He mentioned that Jennifer Morgan, Germany's state secretary for international climate action, reached out to him, affirming that the European Union would maintain its leadership role.

"Their position is not changed and that is how they will approach COP," George added, emphasizing that they are united in their objectives as part of Team Europe.