President Joe Biden’s decision to skip the Cop28 climate summit could damage his standing with young voters leading up to the 2024 election.
The anonymous confirmation of Mr. Biden’s absence came from a White House official speaking to The New York Times on Sunday.
No specific reason was given for the lack of attendance, but senior administration members have indicated that the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict is occupying the president’s attention and focus.
Starting on Thursday (30 November), Cop28 will host 70,000 delegates from 200 nations, with notable guests like King Charles III and Pope Francis, who stated his intent to attend despite health concerns.
Vice President Kamala Harris is also not anticipated to participate, but other prominent US officials will be in attendance to represent the nation’s interests in addressing the climate crisis.
Mr. Biden’s schedule, released by the White House, shows no official commitments overlapping with the Cop28 conference dates.
The Independent has reached out to the White House for further comments about Mr. Biden’s absence at Cop28.
A White House spokesperson informed Axios that there are currently no travel plans to share, but highlighted the president’s track record on environmental initiatives.
Despite Mr. Biden’s strong environmental efforts, his absence at Cop28 may impact his popularity, particularly given his prioritization of environmental policies.
President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden board Air Force One on Sunday
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In August 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act was introduced by Mr. Biden, representing the US’s most substantial climate policy to date.
Past actions by Mr. Biden demonstrate a commitment to addressing climate change, as seen in his attendance at previous UN climate summits.
At Cop26, Mr. Biden made amends for the US’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, stressing the importance of global cooperation to combat climate change.
Recent remarks by Mr. Biden highlight the economic impact of climate change and emphasize the importance of acknowledging and addressing its effects.
