U.S. Warns IEA: Rethink Net Zero or Risk Losing U.S. Support

On Thursday, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright issued a stern warning to the International Energy Agency (IEA), urging it to abandon its net zero climate agenda within a year or risk losing support from the United States. This comes after the U.S. and nearly 200 other countries signed the Paris Accords in 2015, pledging to achieve 'net zero' emissions by 2050.

Wright criticized what he termed as a 'destructive illusion of net zero by 2050' and expressed concerns about China potentially gaining greater influence over the agency if the U.S. were to withdraw. He highlighted that many countries privately agree with the U.S. position on increasing fossil fuel production and consumption, despite some European politicians holding firm on green policies.

The Secretary also commented on global aspirations for industrial and military strength, suggesting this desire might outweigh climate goals. Meanwhile, European advisers have urged increased climate resilience investment, as current national pledges fall short in significantly curbing global warming, potentially leading to a temperature rise of 2.3 to 2.5 degrees Celsius this century, according to the U.N.