The United States has officially withdrawn from the Paris Agreement for the second time, following an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on the first day of his second term. The decision, which aligns the US with Iran, Libya, and Yemen as the only nations outside the 2015 climate accord, has drawn widespread criticism for undermining global climate action.
The Paris Agreement aims to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, a target scientists deem crucial to mitigating the worst effects of climate change. The US, as the world’s largest historical emitter of greenhouse gases, plays a key role in achieving this goal.
Global Reaction to US Withdrawal
Harjeet Singh, Founding Director of the Satat Sampada Climate Foundation, called the move a “devastating blow” to climate efforts. “This prioritises short-term gains for fossil fuel industries over the well-being of American communities already suffering from severe climate disasters. Developing countries, which contribute the least to emissions, will bear the brunt,” he said.
Laurence Tubiana, CEO of the European Climate Foundation and one of the architects of the Paris Agreement, emphasised the need for multilateral cooperation. “The climate crisis requires global unity. While this is a setback, it should inspire systemic reform to prioritise those most affected by climate change,” she stated.
Sunita Narain, Director General of the Centre for Science and Environment, highlighted the US’s historical underperformance in climate financing and decarbonisation, warning that Trump’s decision will exacerbate the challenges for vulnerable nations.
Trump’s Climate Policy History
Trump initially withdrew the US from the Paris Agreement in 2017 during his first term, a move reversed by the Biden administration in 2021. Throughout his campaign, Trump dismissed climate change as a “hoax” and reiterated plans to withdraw from the accord, citing it as unfair to US industries compared to countries like China.
On Monday, Trump followed through on his campaign promise by directing the US Ambassador to the UN to formally notify the withdrawal. He described the Paris Agreement as a “one-sided deal” that “sabotages American industries while allowing China to pollute with impunity.”
The decision, viewed as a significant setback for global climate efforts, comes at a time when collective action is more critical than ever to combat the escalating climate crisis.