Podcast Summary: "The World Commits to New Climate Goals Without the U.S."

Podcast: Consider This from NPR
Air Date: September 28, 2025
Host: Andrew Limbong
Guest: Wopke Hoekstra, European Union Climate Commissioner

Overview

This episode examines the global response to climate change as more than 100 countries commit to new pollution reduction targets at the United Nations—despite the United States’ continued withdrawal from international climate agreements under President Trump. Host Andrew Limbong interviews Wopke Hoekstra, the EU’s Climate Commissioner, who discusses new climate commitments, the challenges of U.S. opposition, the dynamics with China and other major emitters, the economic realities of the energy transition, and the impacts felt by everyday people.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Paris Climate Agreement: Achievements and Setbacks

• The Paris Agreement was initially hailed as pivotal yet controversial (00:00).
• U.S. leadership was significant, with prominent moments such as John Kerry signing with his granddaughter present (00:18).
• Since signing, implementation has been turbulent, particularly for the largest greenhouse gas emitters (00:40).

2. U.S. Withdrawal and Escalated Opposition

• In 2017, President Trump withdrew from the Agreement (00:56).
• Trump recently doubled down, calling climate action a “scam” at the UN General Assembly (01:11, 03:20).
• The episode sets up the tension: What can other world leaders do when the U.S. is “actively opposed to, even hostile to, climate action?” (01:20).

3. New Global Commitments

• Over 100 countries announced new pledges to cut pollution by 2035 at the UN (03:10).
• China committed to roughly a 10% reduction by 2035, which Hoekstra characterizes as disappointing, given China’s responsibility for 30% of global emissions (04:15).

4. The EU’s Leadership and Goals

• The EU’s 2035 emissions target: a reduction of between 66.3% and 72.5% compared to 1990 levels (04:45).
  • “This will put us at the top or very near the top of the most ambitious. Great Britain is probably going to have a target that is even higher, but we will come as a close second, I think.” — Wopke Hoekstra (05:01)

5. Impact of U.S. Absence on Global Climate Efforts

• “American leadership matters… The U.S. simply is the most formidable player across the globe… The fact that the U.S. is no longer being part of these conversations is a major blow to international efforts.” — Wopke Hoekstra (05:27)

• The absence complicates negotiations, particularly with China and the G20, which are together responsible for 85% of global emissions (06:08).

  • “It does do something with the dynamics. At the same time, the problem is not going to go away… The ecosystem, the planet doesn’t give a damn whether this is easy or difficult. It’s simply warming up.” — Wopke Hoekstra (06:12)

6. The Economic Reality of Decarbonization

• Decarbonizing is increasingly viewed by businesses as essential for long-term survival (07:06).
  • “When I talk to businesses… it is crystal clear to them that the future will be decarbonized and that if you don’t expose yourself to that economy, you will have a very bad chance of surviving as a company.” — Wopke Hoekstra (07:06)
• Market forces are accelerating the clean energy transition, such as the dramatic drop in solar costs: “That dropped by roughly 95% in terms of cost just in this decade or in this century.” — Hoekstra (07:52)

7. Europe’s Russian Gas Dependency and Response

• The EU seeks to eliminate its dependency on Russian gas—an issue compounded by the war in Ukraine (08:10).
  • “We have actually eradicated this dependency already for 90%. The last 10% is the most difficult. But you, you’re absolutely right. We should step up and make sure that we get rid of that.” — Wopke Hoekstra (08:51)

8. Human Impact & the Need for a Just Transition

• The transition has real human consequences, especially for workers in legacy industries (09:19).
  • “If you’re working in the coal industry and the plant is going to close… you wonder about how you’re going to feed your kids. And then it matters whether there are actually jobs available in new industries and whether there’s training available…” — Wopke Hoekstra (09:19)
• Governments must ensure support and retraining for displaced workers.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “The planet doesn’t give a damn whether this is easy or difficult. It’s simply warming up. The impact in terms of droughts, wildfires is basically continuing. And that will have increasingly a very, very significant economic cost.”
  — Wopke Hoekstra (06:12)

• "When I talk to businesses, whether they're from the US or from Europe or from wherever, it is crystal clear to them that the future will be decarbonized..."
  — Wopke Hoekstra (07:06)

• “We have actually eradicated this [Russian gas] dependency already for 90%. The last 10% is the most difficult.”
  — Wopke Hoekstra (08:51)

• “...it matters whether there are actually jobs available in new industries and whether there's training available to make sure you get skilled in a way that gives you a decent chance for a great job in that new industry.”
  — Wopke Hoekstra (09:27)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 00:00 – Overview of the Paris Agreement’s signing and legacy
• 00:56 – President Trump announces U.S. withdrawal
• 03:10 – Introduction of the topic and the week’s UN climate talks
• 03:40 – Interview with EU Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra begins
• 04:45 – Details on the EU’s climate commitments for 2035
• 05:27 – On U.S. global leadership and the consequences of its absence
• 07:06 – Business perspectives on decarbonization
• 08:24 – EU’s efforts to eliminate dependence on Russian gas
• 09:19 – The human/economic impact of the energy transition and the need for support
• 10:05 – Interview concludes

Tone and Style

The conversation is direct, pragmatic, and global in scope, reflecting frank concerns about climate urgency, diplomatic complications, and the need for equitable transition for communities most affected by the move away from fossil fuels. Hoekstra is diplomatic regarding U.S. politics but emphasizes the stark realities facing the planet and the global economy.

Summary Takeaway

Despite the U.S. rejecting new climate commitments and actively opposing climate policy at the UN, other global powers—including the EU and more than 100 countries—are pressing ahead, increasingly driven by the unmistakable economic and environmental imperatives. The EU is setting ambitious targets and working to decouple from Russian energy, but is candid about the challenge of a just transition for affected workers and the drag created by lack of U.S. involvement. Hoekstra’s core message: planetary warming and market realities will force change, with or without American leadership.