Climate Change | Council on Foreign Relations

Understanding the Global Push for Climate Finance

Countries will collectively need to spend trillions of dollars to reach their decarbonization goals and protect the most vulnerable nations from climate disasters, but experts say that current funding levels lag behind what’s required to stave off and adapt to the worst effects of climate change.

Backgrounder by Clara Fong Oct 23, 2024

COP29 Summit in Baku: What to Expect

The 2024 summit in Azerbaijan comes amid fresh reports showing that global warming levels are accelerating, bringing more intense climate-related disasters and an increased demand for funding to mitigate and protect communities from the effects of climate change.

Expert Brief by Alice C. Hill and Priyanka Mahat Oct 31, 2024

Could Climate Break Home Insurance?

As extreme weather breaks records, the U.S. home insurance system is under intense pressure. What comes next?

Podcast by Gabrielle Sierra, Asher Ross, Markus Zakaria, Molly McAnany, Nancy Watkins, and David Marlett Sep 27, 2023

Understanding the Causes of Climate Change

This offering from CFR Education breaks down the causes and effects of climate change.

The Summer of 2023 Was the Most Extreme Yet

Even compared to the intensifying severe-weather events of previous years, the 2023 season was exceptional, marked by historic heat, wildfires, and storms.

by Noah Berman and Sabine Baumgartner Sep 18, 2023

Climate Change

Was COP29 in Azerbaijan a Failure?

The UN climate summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, was poorly organized, fell far short of goals for climate finance, and raised doubts about the ability of the COP process to halt alarming global warming trends.

Expert Brief by Alice C. Hill and Priyanka Mahat November 25, 2024 Energy Security and Climate Change Program
Climate Change

Women This Week: Deadlock at COP29 to Update UN Action Plan on Gender and Climate

Welcome to “Women Around the World: This Week,” a series that highlights noteworthy news related to women and U.S. foreign policy. This week’s post covers November 16 to November 22.

Blog Post by Noël James and Uma Fox November 22, 2024 Women Around the World
Ukraine

U.S. ATACMS for Ukraine, COP29 Wraps Up, Cease-Fire Negotiations in Lebanon, and More

The White House authorized Ukraine to use U.S.-made, long-range army tactical missile systems (ATACMS) missiles to hit targets within Russian territory; the UN climate change conference (COP29) wraps up in Baku, Azerbaijan, where progress on climate finance has been notably slow; negotiations for a cease-fire continues in the Middle East, with hopes for an agreement between Israel and Hezbollah; and thousands protest for Māori rights throughout New Zealand.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins November 21, 2024 The World Next Week

Experts in this Topic

David M. Hart

Senior Fellow for Climate and Energy

Alice C. Hill

David M. Rubenstein Senior Fellow for Energy and the Environment

Jennifer Hillman

Senior Fellow for Trade and International Political Economy

Daniel B. Poneman

Senior Fellow

Varun Sivaram

Senior Fellow for Energy and Climate

International Law

Trump Has Promised Swift, Bold Actions as President. Will They Be Legal?

Donald Trump could take several early actions as president that could draw legal scrutiny, including on immigration, climate, and security policy.

Article by John B. Bellinger III November 20, 2024 U.S. Foreign Policy Program
Climate Change

Climate Diplomacy: Watch What Countries Do, Not What They Say

World governments should focus on rapidly driving down the costs of clean energy, particularly in the power, transportation, and industrial sectors, to move the needle on climate change.

Expert Brief by David M. Hart November 18, 2024 Energy Security and Climate Change Program
Sexual Violence

Women This Week: Online Abuse Against Women Surges After U.S. Election

Welcome to “Women Around the World: This Week,” a series that highlights noteworthy news related to women and U.S. foreign policy. This week’s post covers November 9 to November 15.

Blog Post by Noël James and Uma Fox November 15, 2024 Women Around the World

Latin America

How the Caribbean Is Building Climate Resilience

The Caribbean is bearing the brunt of climate change. Governments in the region are taking steps to combat it, but are they enough?

Backgrounder by Diana Roy November 13, 2024
United States

World Reacts to Trump Win, Israel’s Gaza Aid Deadline Nears, Azerbaijan’s Climate Summit, and More

World leaders express hopes for cooperation with the United States after former President Donald Trump’s comeback election win; Israel faces a deadline to increase humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip or risk restrictions on U.S. military funding; Azerbaijan prepares to host the twenty-ninth UN climate conference (COP29) as concerns grow that climate targets could fall short; and Moldova’s election spurs hopes of European Union ties.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins November 7, 2024 The World Next Week
Climate Change

COP29 Summit in Baku: What to Expect

The 2024 summit in Azerbaijan comes amid fresh reports showing that global warming levels are accelerating, bringing more intense climate-related disasters and an increased demand for funding to mitigate and protect communities from the effects of climate change.

Expert Brief by Alice C. Hill and Priyanka Mahat October 31, 2024 Energy Security and Climate Change Program
Election 2024

What’s at Stake for Foreign Policy in the 2024 Elections

On November 5, U.S. voters will choose new leadership, with ramifications for China, immigration, the Middle East, and many other national security issues. CFR experts weigh in.

Article by Diana Roy October 30, 2024
Climate Change

Understanding the Global Push for Climate Finance

Countries will collectively need to spend trillions of dollars to reach their decarbonization goals and protect the most vulnerable nations from climate disasters, but experts say that current funding levels lag behind what’s required to stave off and adapt to the worst effects of climate change.

Backgrounder by Clara Fong October 23, 2024
Latin America

Can Amazon Countries Save the Rain Forest?

The Amazon Rainforest plays a critical role in global climate health, but accelerating deforestation continues to raise alarm. How are the region’s governments responding?

Backgrounder by Diana Roy October 22, 2024
Climate Change

Securing the Future: Navigating the Nexus of Climate and Defense

Panelists discuss the intersection of climate change and national security, the emerging challenges for defense, and how the U.S. military is adapting to address these evolving threats.

Event with Meredith Berger, Sherri Goodman, Varun Sivaram and Raj Kumar October 21, 2024 Energy Security and Climate Change Program
United Nations

Russia Hosts BRICS Summit, EU Leaders Talk Migration, UN Biodiversity Summit Kicks Off, and More

The summit of the BRICS group begins in Russia, the first meeting since formally welcoming Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the United Arab Emirates into the bloc; European leaders discuss migration after a series of calls for speedier deportations and revised asylum processes; Colombia hosts the UN Biodiversity Summit; and Canada expels six Indian diplomats tied to the murder of a Sikh separatist.

Podcast with Robert McMahon and Carla Anne Robbins October 17, 2024 The World Next Week
Climate Change

What Hurricane Milton’s Damage Says About Climate Preparedness

The record-breaking storm was the second major hurricane to hit Florida in less than two weeks. Experts say climate change has worsened the wreckage of such events, straining government efforts to respond.

Expert Brief by Alice C. Hill October 16, 2024 Energy Security and Climate Change Program