Climate Politics

Scholz Cancels COP29 Trip in Fresh Blow to EU Climate Leadership

EU’s von der Leyen, France’s Macron also set to skip summit
Europe under pressure to lead after Trump’s US victory

Olaf Scholz in Berlin on Nov. 7.Photographer: Carsten Koall/dpa/AP Photo

Provide news feedback or report an error

Confidential tip?

Send a tip to our reporters

Site feedback:

Take our Survey

By John Ainger and Michael Nienaber

November 7, 2024 at 11:26 AM UTC

This article is for subscribers only.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz will no longer attend the COP29 climate summit as he grapples with a political crisis at home, adding to a European leadership vacuum at this year’s talks.

Scholz was due to attend the leaders summit at the start of the United Nations climate negotiations in Baku, Azerbaijan next week. But he cancelled that plan to help deal with the aftermath of his call for a snap election, according to a person familiar with the matter.