The Office of Global Change was notified Thursday that it would be shuttered.
The State Department is eliminating the Office of Global Change, which oversees international climate change negotiations for the United States.
Staff were told about the move verbally Thursday afternoon, according to three people who were granted anonymity to speak about the decision to avoid reprisal. The news thrust the office into chaos and raised questions among staff about when the office would be permanently shuttered.
“This will hamstring international climate cooperation at the worst possible time,” said one official, referring to the upcoming global climate talks called COP30.
It’s “just strategically fucking dumb when it comes to China,” that person added, saying the move would leave a leadership vacuum that China could fill.
A State Department spokesperson confirmed that the office is being eliminated to comply with President Donald Trump’s directives to cease participation in international agreements.
The State Department is eliminating the Office of Global Change, which oversees international climate change negotiations for the United States.
Staff were told about the move verbally Thursday afternoon, according to three people who were granted anonymity to speak about the decision to avoid reprisal. The news thrust the office into chaos and raised questions among staff about when the office would be permanently shuttered.
“This will hamstring international climate cooperation at the worst possible time,” said one official, referring to the upcoming global climate talks called COP30.
It’s “just strategically fucking dumb when it comes to China,” that person added, saying the move would leave a leadership vacuum that China could fill.
A State Department spokesperson confirmed that the office is being eliminated to comply with President Donald Trump’s directives to cease participation in international agreements.
