World Climate Engine: Conferences Keep Momentum, Despite US Withdrawal

By Moraa Nyangorora

The world prepares to once again meet for the annual UN climate change conference COP30 later in the year. Ahead of this event however there have been numerous conferences taking place around the world on climate.

Africa prepares to meet for the second climate summit in early September in Ethiopia. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change IPCC met in Kenya in July 2025, to develop their report on climate change and cities.

While this demonstrates the global recognition of climate change as a significant agenda, it is taking place against a crucial policy change by the United States. The US that officially rejoined the Paris agreement in early 2021 under Joe Biden's administration, is now shifting from the multilateral climate agreements and domestic regulation climate home news.

COP30 planned in Brazil for example is a critical forum for setting new financing goals. The absence of the US affects the Paris agreement on financial commitments which the US was party to.  This complicates access to funding that developing nations need for climate adaptation and mitigation Oxford Economics

The year has witnessed some roll back of climate policies following the significant executive actions by the US. Withdrawing from the Paris agreement, terminating the US international Climate Finance Plan impacts the global climate landscape American Action Forum.

The climate conference's focus is on transitioning to clean energy and sustainable practices. For Africa to effectively transition, financing is critical. The US policy shift contrasts with this focus.

Media coverage and public perception is becoming complex in this context. While Kenyan media may focus on the urgent local impacts, international media, mainly the US media will prioritise internal policy debates. This creates a dissonance in the global narrative . A local media outlet in Kenya may report on climate smart agriculture while also reporting on the US government's efforts to repeal clean energy tax subsidies and promote fossil fuel extraction.

However, despite the prevailing situation, the high number of conferences on issues like air quality, climate, and agriculture is a pointer that the world is moving forward with tangible solutions despite the political headwinds.

The conferences are keeping the global conversations on climate action alive.