Biden's Climate Adviser John Podesta blended pragmatism and persistence in a statement emphasizing the vital stakes of a transition to clean energy.

President-elect Trump's shadow looms large at the UN global climate summit that began Monday — but his second term seems to be more motivating than dispiriting for some countries. Why it matters: Trump's reelection raises the stakes for the gathering,

"None of this is a hoax. It is real. It's a matter of life and death," John Podesta said during a news conference at COP29 in Baku.