U.S. President Joe Biden will not be present at the upcoming UN climate summit in Dubai due to the Israeli war in Gaza.
This marks a change from his participation in the previous two years, aimed at demonstrating US leadership in climate issues.
The COP28 summit, starting Thursday, is expected to be the largest of its kind, with an attendance of around 70,000 people, including national leaders and Pope Francis.
According to the White House schedules, neither Biden nor Vice President Kamala Harris are slated to travel to Dubai this week. Biden’s schedule includes visiting Colorado to promote US wind energy investments, a meeting with the Angolan president, and the national Christmas tree lighting ceremony.
The US official, who chose to remain anonymous, stated that Biden does not plan to attend COP28 in either the opening week or the concluding phase around December 12.
Discussions are ongoing within the Biden administration about sending a high-level official to Dubai. John Kerry, the US climate envoy and former secretary of state, will lead the US negotiations at the summit.
No specific reason was provided for Biden’s decision. However, he has been focused on the Israel-Hamas conflict for over a month and is also concentrating on domestic policies as the US presidential election approaches in less than a year.
Historically, it has not been customary for US presidents to attend each COP summit. Biden attended the 2021 summit in Glasgow, pledging US leadership in climate issues post the Trump administration, which had withdrawn from the Paris climate accord. Trump, a climate change skeptic and current presidential candidate, has criticized climate action for its economic impact on the US.
Biden also made a brief appearance at COP27 in Egypt last year. Domestically, he has emphasized climate change, with the Inflation Reduction Act directing billions of dollars toward the green economy, including incentives for electric vehicles.
Before COP28, John Kerry engaged in extensive discussions with Xie Zhenhua, his Chinese counterpart, with both countries—the top greenhouse gas emitters—committing to collaborative efforts for progress in Dubai.
