Energy

Do you have any thoughts on Carbon Nationalism ?

January 20, marks the inauguration of U.S. President Donald Trump, and it’s almost certain that his presidency will bring a week full of disappointments, including the likely withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and the climate policies and commitments pursued by his predecessor, Joe Biden. A clear example of this shift is the U.S. federal government’s withdrawal, just 48 hours before the inauguration, from an international climate initiative.

It’s difficult to ignore the larger truth: climate change is more likely to exacerbate geopolitical rivalries than resolve them. As the uneven effects of climate change continue to unfold across different regions, national leaders will face increasing pressure to protect their populations, strengthen borders, and adopt self-reliant policies. Concerns about resource scarcity and climate-driven migration will likely intensify these nationalist tendencies, giving rise to what is now being referred to as Carbon Nationalism.

On the other hand, liberal political solutions advocate for global cooperation, equitable resource sharing, and collective climate action through frameworks like the Paris Agreement. These approaches aim to mitigate disparities between nations by addressing climate change as a shared responsibility. For countries like Tunisia, liberal solutions could mean increased access to green financing, renewable energy technology, and capacity-building initiatives funded by wealthier nations. However, Tunisia’s reliance on international support could also expose it to vulnerabilities if such aid is reduced under nationalist policies in wealthier countries. For example, Tunisia’s ambitions to expand its renewable energy sector or address water scarcity may be hindered if global funding mechanisms like the Green Climate Fund are weakened due to the rise of Carbon Nationalism.