Top EU and US leaders skip major climate meeting - here's what it means
Key world figures wont attend the upcoming climate summit in Azerbaijan due to local commitments. The absence of high-ranking officials might affect important climate-funding decisions
The top EU official Ursula von der Leyen decided to skip this years climate summit in Baku‚ focusing instead on Brussels political tasks (where shes managing Commission changes for 2024-29 term)
Joe Biden also wont join the Nov-11 Azerbaijan meeting‚ as it comes right after the US vote. The timing creates extra pressure on climate talks: many experts think the election results could shake-up global climate deals
Several big countries didnt put their names on the speaking list including China Japan and Australia; however climate expert Li Shuo thinks real actions matter more than showing-up: “Leaders should always be at the COP‚ but more important than their presence is the real commitments countries bring to the table“
The EU will send Charles Michel and climate chief Wopke Hoekstra to represent its interests. The meeting happens just before the G-20 get-together in Brazil - where world leaders plan to talk about money for green projects too
