US retreat from the global climate agreement JETP is a moral failure by the world’s biggest polluter, writes Savio Carvalho, head of regions at 350.org.
[LONDON] The United States’ decision to withdraw from the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) model of climate financing is more than a diplomatic misstep – it’s a moral failure.
As the world’s richest nation and the largest historical polluter, the US has a responsibility to lead the fight against climate change, not abandon it, and in effect, exacerbate it.
This move comes on the heels of its planned exit from the Paris Agreement, a legally binding treaty on climate change.
It sends a dangerous message to the world that the US is no longer willing to uphold its commitments to a liveable planet and is willing to renege on its previous commitments that so many millions of communities on the frontlines of the climate crisis around the world are relying on.
This retreat is not just a blow to international climate efforts, it’s a betrayal of vulnerable communities already bearing the brunt of climate chaos. From rising sea levels to devastating droughts, the impacts of climate change are disproportionately felt by low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
By stepping back, the US is effectively turning its back on those who need support the most.
The JETP, launched during the 2021 UN climate talks, was designed to help LMICs transition from coal to cleaner energy sources.
South Africa and Indonesia were among the first to secure agreements, with Vietnam and Senegal later securing deals.
While the financial pledge remains nominally unchanged, the US withdrawal undermines the initiative’s momentum and weakens the global solidarity needed to address the climate crisis.
LMICs countries across Asia, the Pacific and Africa cannot afford to slow their energy transition. The money to fund a clean energy future exists—but it’s concentrated in the hands of billionaires, financial institutions, and fossil fuel giants that continue to profit from destruction.
Now, more than ever, governments must step up and redirect wealth towards community-led renewable energy solutions.
Savio
“The energy transition is not just about replacing coal with solar panels, or gas with wind turbines – it’s about fostering a new system that prioritises people and the planet over profits. ” – Savio Carvalho.
As countries prepare to submit their updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement, before the UN climate talks in Brazil on November this year, they have a unique opportunity to address the shortfall in global climate financing.
By crafting ambitious and actionable NDCs, nations can attract alternative funding and demonstrate leadership in the global fight against climate change. These are more than just climate pledges—they are powerful tools for mobilising resources and driving action.
By crafting bold, detailed and inclusive plans, countries can turn the challenge of reduced climate financing into an opportunity to innovate, collaborate and lead the global energy transition.
The energy transition is not just about replacing coal with solar panels, or gas with wind turbines – it’s about fostering a new system that prioritises people and the planet over profits.
Public funds and grants, mechanisms of the JETP model, are the tools we need to ensure the transition to renewables is just and equitable.
Without them, we risk replicating the injustices built into the fossil fuel industry, repeating the mistakes of the past, and entrenching the very inequalities we seek to overcome.
Public finance is the key to ensuring justice is at the heart of the energy transition.
While the US withdrawal may impact JETP’s momentum, national commitments to the Paris Agreement remain binding and scientifically necessary. These commitments cannot be contingent on the goodwill of the US – or any single nation.
With South Africa hosting the G20 this year, it presents a crucial opportunity to strengthen the country’s climate leadership, advocate for increased international support for LMICs, and prioritise forging new, stronger partnerships with countries and institutions committed to ensuring a just and equitable energy transition.
The US has made its position clear – it prioritises short-term economic interests and “deals” over global climate justice. But this should not deter the rest of the world. It’s exactly the opposite – the fight for a just energy transition must continue, with or without US support with fierce commitment and unflinching support.
The climate crisis is escalating, it is the defining challenge of our time, and it demands collective action.
Governments must act now – not wait for the approval or financial backing of a nation that has repeatedly failed to honour its commitments on many different fronts.
The US withdrawal is a stark reminder that leadership cannot be taken for granted. It’s time for other nations not just to fill the void but expand and support this transition, for communities to demand accountability, and for governments to prioritise people over profit.
Savio Carvalho is the head of regions at global climate advocacy organisation 350.org. He has worked for over two decades in international development, humanitarian and human rights, and climate justice.
This piece was produced by SciDev.Net’s Asia & Pacific desk.