Trump victory could threaten 1.5C target, says former UN climate chief

Victory for Donald Trump in the US presidential election this year could put the world's climate goals at risk, a former UN climate chief has said.

- Fiona Harvey

Patricia Espinosa, the UN's top official on the climate from 2016 to 2022, said the chances of limiting global heating to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels were already slim and that Trump's antipathy to climate action would have a major impact on the US, the world's second biggest emitter of greenhouse gases and the biggest oil and gas exporter.

"I worry [about the potential election of Trump] because it would have very strong consequences, if we see a regression regarding climate policies in the US," Espinosa said.

Although Trump's policy plans are not clear, conversations with his circle have created a worrying picture that could include the cancellation of Joe Biden's groundbreaking climate legislation, withdrawal from the Paris agreement and a push for more drilling for oil and gas.

Espinosa said: "We are not yet aligned to 1.5C. That's the reality. So if we see a situation where we would see regression on those efforts, then [the likelihood of staying within 1.5C] is very limited. It would certainly be a much bigger risk.