The Trump administration has stopped U.S. scientists from participating in crucial U.N. climate change assessments, further distancing itself from global climate efforts, sources told Reuters.
The move affects staff from the U.S. Global Change Research Program and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, blocking their engagement with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). As a result, the U.S. will miss a major IPCC meeting in Hangzhou, China, next week, aimed at planning the seventh global climate assessment.
Delta Merner from the Union of Concerned Scientists warned that the absence of the U.S. undermines the IPCC’s collaborative mission. While American scientists will still conduct research, the U.S. government’s withdrawal will be felt.
The meeting from February 24-28 will make key decisions on carbon removal and capture technology. China’s foreign ministry said it was unaware of the U.S. pullout.
The U.S., a co-chair of the IPCC’s climate mitigation working group, had pledged $1.5 million to support the panel, though Congress had yet to release the funds.
This move follows President Trump’s broader rollback of climate action, including plans to exit the Paris Agreement and reduce global climate finance.
Kathryn Bowen of Melbourne University noted the loss of U.S. support comes amid shrinking global climate science funding.
“High-income countries are vital for funding Global South authors,” Bowen said, highlighting the growing financial strain on the IPCC.
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