Biden’s Absence at Climate Summit Raises Eyebrows as Young Voters Question Progress

This decision comes at a time when tackling climate change is a central issue for young voters and a key element of Biden’s policy agenda and reelection campaign. Historically, Biden has been present at the annual UN climate summit, attending in person in both 2021 and 2022. Whether he will participate virtually this year remains unclear.

The significance of Biden’s absence is not lost on climate policy experts. Tom Evans, a policy adviser for E3G, a climate think tank, notes that it’s a “missed opportunity” ahead of the 2024 election, as the U.S. appears to not be “fully at the table at the highest level.”

The move also risks frustrating climate advocates, both domestically and internationally. Some activists, including high-profile Swedish youth activist Greta Thunberg, have criticized the effectiveness of these annual summits, with Thunberg skipping last year’s event, denouncing it as a platform for “greenwashing.”

Criticism also comes from within the U.S., with youth climate group Sunrise Movement questioning Biden’s commitment to leading on Climate change. This sentiment is echoed in a recent poll, revealing that 57% of Americans disapprove of Biden’s handling of climate policy, including 59% of young voters aged 18-29.

Despite these criticisms, the White House highlights Biden’s climate achievements, including the Inflation Reduction Act, which aims to cut climate Pollution in half by 2030. Yet, the administration faces challenges in resonating these achievements with voters.

Biden’s absence at the summit, alongside Chinese President Xi Jinping’s expected non-attendance, raises questions about the global commitment to climate action, especially in light of the recent U.S.-China climate agreement.

As the world gears up for COP28, the absence of key leaders like Biden signals a complex and challenging path ahead for global climate diplomacy and action.

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