WASHINGTON — On Monday, President Donald Trump enacted an executive order to initiate the United States’ withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement once again. This move poses a significant setback for global efforts aimed at addressing climate change and further distances the U.S. from its international allies.
Trump’s action, which came just hours after his inauguration for a second term, mirrors his previous decision in 2017 when he announced the country’s exit from the Paris accord. This international agreement seeks to limit long-term climate warming to 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit (1.5 degrees Celsius) above pre-industrial levels, with an alternative goal of maintaining temperature increases below 3.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2 degrees Celsius).
In conjunction with the executive order, Trump also sent a letter to the United Nations to reaffirm his intent to withdraw from the 2015 agreement. This pact enables countries to set individual targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions resulting from coal, oil, and natural gas combustion. These emission targets are required to become more ambitious over time, with nations facing a deadline of February 2025 to submit updated plans. The previous Biden administration had introduced a plan aimed at reducing U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by over 60% by 2035.
Trump’s directive critiques the Paris accord as reflective of international agreements that do not align with U.S. values and asserts that such agreements could misappropriate American taxpayer funds to assist nations that may not genuinely need it. He emphasized that the United States’ history of promoting both economic growth and environmental goals should serve as an example for other nations instead of participating in a collective global pact.
Laurence Tubiana, CEO of the European Climate Foundation and a significant contributor to the development of the Paris agreement, described the impending U.S. withdrawal as unfortunate. However, she insisted that efforts to mitigate climate change continue to persist beyond the dominant influence of individual countries’ political landscapes. She noted that the global context today is vastly different from the situation in 2017, highlighting the unstoppable economic momentum favoring a transition toward clean energy, a shift that the U.S. has previously benefited from and now risks missing out on.
The International Energy Agency forecasts that the market for essential clean energy technologies could expand threefold, reaching upwards of $2 trillion by 2035. Tubiana stressed that the adverse effects of climate change are escalating, pointing to devastating wildfires in Los Angeles as a clear signal that Americans alongside the rest of the globe are experiencing the repercussions of climate change.
Gina McCarthy, who served as climate adviser under President Biden, argued that if Trump truly aspires for America to spearhead the global economy and achieve energy independence, he should concentrate on enhancing the clean energy sector. She posited that advancements in clean technologies are reducing energy costs for citizens nationwide.
Currently, global temperatures have risen approximately 2.3 degrees Fahrenheit (1.3 degrees Celsius) compared to mid-19th century levels. Most climate monitoring institutions indicated that global temperatures surpassed 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit last year, marking it as the hottest on record.
The process of the U.S. withdrawing from the Paris agreement will take a year. Trump’s previous exit from the accord became effective a day after the 2020 presidential election, which resulted in Biden’s victory.
While the first Trump administration’s departure from the Paris agreement shocked numerous nations worldwide, it did not prompt any countries to follow suit, according to Alden Meyer, a veteran climate negotiations analyst. Instead, other governments recommitted to tackling climate change alongside various stakeholders in the United States, including businesses, governors, and mayors.
Nevertheless, experts express concern over the absence of U.S. leadership in global climate initiatives, especially with the increasing likelihood of record-breaking temperature years and severe weather events like droughts, hurricanes, floods, and wildfires. Climate activist Bill McKibben remarked that America lacks the capacity to play a pivotal role in addressing the climate crisis, referring to it as the greatest challenge humanity faces. He expressed hope that Washington would not obstruct others’ efforts.
Recent polling data indicates that around half of Americans either somewhat or strongly disapprove of the decision to withdraw from the climate pact. Even among Republicans, there is no overwhelming support for the action, with only about 20% of U.S. adults favoring withdrawal and one-quarter neutral on the issue.
China has already overtaken the United States as the leading nation in annual carbon dioxide emissions. For 2023, the U.S., which is the second-largest carbon emitter, produced 4.9 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide, reflecting an 11% decrease since a decade ago as reported by the Global Carbon Project. Although the U.S. has emitted more cumulative carbon than any other nation, accounting for nearly 22% of total emissions since 1950, carbon dioxide remains in the atmosphere for centuries, exacerbating the climate issue.
Experts worry that a second Trump term could have more far-reaching negative impacts on global climate efforts. Should the U.S. withdraw further from international climate initiatives under Trump, it could hinder future administrations’ ability to address climate issues effectively. Observers fear that other countries, particularly China, may interpret this as a cue to relax their own emission reduction commitments.
Simon Stiell, the U.N. climate change executive secretary, expressed optimism that the U.S. might still embrace the burgeoning global clean energy economy. He warned against neglecting the issue, stating it would ultimately divert significant wealth to competing nations while worsening the prevalence of climate disasters such as droughts and wildfires. Stiell emphasized that the door remains open to re-engagement with the Paris Agreement for any and all nations.
