But unless real progress follows the public rhetoric, the conference’s main achievement risks being youth-, green- and pink-washing.

The author of Sea Change explains the frustration, grief, and anger of the people at the forefront of the environmental crisis.

Africa received an average of $35 billion per year for fossil fuel and clean energy projects over the past decade. That amount was enough to address the continent’s energy finance gap, but unequal distribution has left many countries behind.

The underwater minerals are needed for the global transition to clean energy, but the effects of extraction may pose major risks to surrounding states.

Development and climate action must be pursued in tandem.

Dependence on coal, outdated energy systems, and an overall lack of ambition are hampering the Western Balkans’ green transition. More support and assistance from the EU and international financial institutions will be essential for the region to achieve its climate goals.

With strategic use of its development finance tools, the United States can promote clean energy manufacturing outside of China and help partner countries in the Global South become more than sources of raw materials.

The breakdown of cooperation among a group of coastal states regarding the allocation of mackerel provides a cautionary tale about the limits of international collective action in response to climate change.

The fight against climate change will fuel the emergence of new types of sanctions, tariffs, and export controls. In retaliation against these measures, China and Russia could weaponize access to critical minerals, posing a threat to U.S. national security.

California, Florida, and Texas have different approaches for funding rebuilding efforts after fires, floods, and other natural disasters. Climate change is testing their limits.

The EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism has sparked a debate about its negative spillover effects, particularly for developing and least developed countries. Reforming CBAM should be a priority for the EU not only for climate justice but also for geopolitical considerations.

Given existing reserves, it is possible for the United States and its key democratic partners to significantly friendshore the production of critical minerals. However, it would require an unprecedented buildout of the mining industry to achieve clean energy targets for 2030.