On his first day back in office, President Donald Trump initiated the process to withdraw the United States from the Paris climate agreement for the second time. The process signifies the country’s departure from global efforts to combat climate change and aligns with Trump’s previous actions in 2017.
The U.S. is the world’s second-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, and its withdrawal will leave it alongside Iran, Libya, and Yemen as the only countries not participating in the agreement.
Background on the Paris Agreement
The Paris Agreement, established in 2015, is a landmark treaty that aims to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5 degrees Celsius. It requires countries to submit plans for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), which are to be progressively strengthened over time. The agreement officially came into force in November 2016.
Trump justified the withdrawal by calling the Paris Agreement an “unfair one-sided Paris climate accord rip-off.” He emphasised that the U.S. would not undermine its industries while other countries, like China, continue to pollute without consequence. Trump also signed a letter to the United Nations, formally notifying them of the U.S. intention to exit the agreement. This process is expected to take about a year to complete.
Implications of the Withdrawal
The U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement is seen as a setback for global climate efforts. It undermines the collective action needed to address climate change, particularly at a time when unity and urgency are crucial. The decision is also expected to have significant economic implications, as it may give competitors like China an advantage in the clean energy sector. Climate advocates argue that states and cities in the U.S. can still lead the transition to a clean energy economy despite federal actions.
Despite the withdrawal, there is hope that sub-national entities in the U.S. will continue to push for clean energy transitions. The Biden administration had proposed ambitious emissions targets before leaving office, which aim for a reduction of between 61% and 66% by 2035 compared to 2005 levels. These efforts are seen as crucial for maintaining U.S. climate leadership at the local level.