Illustration: Xia Qing/GT

The question of whether global climate governance can make meaningful progress without the participation of the US has again emerged as a pressing concern in global public opinion. 

This apprehension has been heightened by the decision of the US government to fire its last climate negotiators this month, leaving the country with no official presence at one of the most consequential climate summits in a decade: COP30, according to a CNN report on Tuesday.

COP30, the annual UN climate talks that are set to take place in Brazil in November, are widely expected to be a landmark summit, poised to chart the course for the next critical decade.

Undoubtedly, the absence of the US raises questions about the future of international climate cooperation and the ability in addressing the urgent challenges posed by climate change. The US, which has emitted more carbon dioxide than any other country in the world, has shown selfishness and irresponsibility on climate issues. This may weaken the implementation of the Paris Agreement and even shake some countries' confidence in multilateral cooperation. Meanwhile, the US irresponsibility will inevitably weaken its voice on major international issues and erode the global community's trust in the US.

However, it is crucial to recognize that as the urgency of climate change will not diminish, the multilateral efforts to combat climate change will persist, regardless of the withdrawal of any single country. The withdrawal of the US should never serve as a justification for other countries to retreat from their commitments to combat climate change. On the contrary, this pivotal moment calls for enhanced international solidarity and collaboration to fill the void left by the US.

The threats posed by climate change will not pause due to any country's absence. Climate change has evolved into a systemic threat to global security and development. The accelerated melting of glaciers propels sea level rise, steadily erodes the living space of island nations, while frequent extreme weather events devastate agricultural production and infrastructure, putting food security and economic stability at risk. Countries worldwide, particularly developing ones, are shouldering an increasingly heavy burden from climate disasters. 

Such threats will not vanish because one nation steps back; instead, they will worsen with delayed responses. Given this urgency, global climate negotiators must press forward as the next decade represents a "critical window" for addressing global warming and every moment of hesitation could lead to catastrophe.

Moreover, global climate governance, which is based on a broad international consensus, is resilient enough and has sufficient momentum to support the continuous progress of negotiations. The EU has always been committed to formulating strict climate policies and promoting energy transformation and sustainable development, thus injecting stable momentum into multilateral cooperation. The Alliance of Small Island States, along with the least-developed countries, has persistently called for strengthened measures, emerging as significant catalysts propelling climate governance forward. Many developing countries are also taking practical measures to address climate change according to their national conditions.

In this process, China, as a responsible major power, has consistently played an active and pivotal role. China has put forward the "dual carbon" goals of peaking carbon emissions by 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060, demonstrating unwavering commitment to global climate governance through clear timelines and roadmaps. 

To realize these objectives, China has vigorously promoted energy structure adjustment, achieving remarkable progress in renewable energy development. The rapid growth of China's electric vehicle industry, for example, has offered a "Chinese solution" for global emissions reduction.

Furthermore, the deep integration of climate action and economic development provides strong endogenous momentum for the global climate change agenda. A low-carbon economy offers enormous potential for innovation and expansion. Addressing climate change aligns closely with promoting high-quality economic transformation and ensuring energy security. 

China's "dual carbon" goals embed emission reduction efforts into economic structural optimization, fostering the rise of strategic emerging industries like new energy and energy conservation. 

As more and more countries recognize that participation in climate governance is both a necessary response to existential crises and a strategic move to grasp development opportunities, the global climate agenda has gained a solid foundation for sustained progress.