Vice President Kamala Harris will be attending the COP28 global climate summit in Dubai. This decision comes in response to the pushback received after President Joe Biden announced that he would not be present for the opening of the gathering. Harris’ attendance is aligned with her recent efforts to increase public messaging on climate change. She has been actively participating in climate-related events and engaging with students and young voters to address this critical issue.
Kirsten Allen, Harris’ press secretary, confirmed that the vice president will participate in the conference on Friday and Saturday. Allen stated, “Throughout her engagements, the Vice President will underscore the Biden-Harris Administration’s success in delivering the most ambitious climate agenda in history, both domestically and internationally.”
The decision for Vice President Harris to attend the summit follows frustration expressed by climate activists and experts over President Biden’s absence. While Biden has made climate change a top priority and has taken significant steps such as signing the Inflation Reduction Act and recommitting the US to the Paris Agreement, some young voters still feel that more needs to be done.
A poll conducted by The Washington Post and the University of Maryland showed that 57% of Americans disapprove of Biden’s handling of climate policy, including 59% of voters aged 18 to 29. The poll also revealed that 71% of Americans have heard very little about the Inflation Reduction Act.
The White House has highlighted the presence of top US officials, including US climate envoy John Kerry and White House national climate adviser Ali Zaidi, as the reason for President Biden’s absence. However, the absence of the president has been seen as a missed opportunity to demonstrate the US’s commitment to climate action at the highest level. Tom Evans, a policy adviser for the international climate think tank E3G, stated, “When he’s not part of the conversation, that shows the US that’s not fully at the table at the highest level.”
While Biden’s absence is notable, some activists and small island nations have raised concerns about the effectiveness of the annual international climate summit process. High-profile activist Greta Thunberg chose not to attend the summit last year, citing it as a space for “greenwashing.”
This year’s COP28 conference has faced even more scrutiny. The president-designate of COP28, Sultan Al Jaber, strongly denied allegations that his team aimed to strike fossil fuel deals for the UAE’s state-owned oil and gas company during the international climate talks in Dubai. Several media outlets, including CNN, reported on leaked documents that appeared to be briefing notes for Al Jaber’s meetings with foreign officials. Al Jaber denied ever seeing these documents or using such talking points.
In conclusion, Vice President Kamala Harris attending the COP28 climate summit is a significant step in emphasizing the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to climate action. Though President Biden’s absence has garnered criticism, the presence of top officials reflects the administration’s dedication to addressing climate change. This summit holds great importance as the final one before the next US election, and it serves as an opportunity to demonstrate leadership and collaboration on a global scale.
This story has been updated with additional developments on Wednesday.
