In a move that has sparked international concern, former President Donald Trump has announced his intention to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement on climate change for the second time. This decision, revealed in a White House press release, marks a significant setback in global efforts to combat climate change. This article will delve into the details of this decision, its implications, and the background of the Paris Agreement.
What is the Paris Agreement?
The Paris Agreement is a landmark international treaty adopted in 2015 at the UN Climate Change Conference in Paris, France. It is a legally binding agreement with the central aim to strengthen the global response to the threat of climate change by keeping the global temperature rise this century well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase even further to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The agreement addresses climate change mitigation, adaptation, and finance, providing a framework for nations to collaborate in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to the impacts of climate change.
Key Objectives of the Paris Agreement
- Temperature Goal: To hold the increase in global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
- Mitigation: Requires all parties to put forward their best efforts through “nationally determined contributions” (NDCs) and to strengthen these efforts in the years ahead.
- Adaptation: Aims to increase the ability of countries to deal with the impacts of climate change.
- Finance: Provides a framework for developed nations to assist developing nations in their climate mitigation and adaptation efforts.
- Transparency: Requires countries to regularly report on their emissions and implementation efforts, with a global stocktake every 5 years to assess collective progress.
As of February 2023, 195 members of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) are parties to the agreement, demonstrating a broad international consensus on the need for climate action.
Trump’s Decision to Withdraw
Donald Trump’s decision to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Agreement is not unprecedented. He initially announced the U.S. withdrawal from the agreement on June 1, 2017, arguing that it imposed an “unfair economic burden” on American workers, businesses, and taxpayers. According to Article 28 of the agreement, a country cannot give notice of withdrawal within the first three years of its start date. The U.S. officially gave notice of its intention to withdraw on November 4, 2019, with the withdrawal taking effect on November 4, 2020.
Reasons for Withdrawal
Trump’s administration cited several reasons for the withdrawal, including:
- Economic Burden: The agreement was seen as placing an unfair economic burden on the United States, potentially undermining its economy and putting it at a disadvantage.
- Unfair to US: Trump stated that the Paris accord was very unfair to the United States at the highest level.
- Sovereignty: Concerns were raised about the agreement infringing on U.S. sovereignty and the costs associated with participating.
The Process of Withdrawal
The withdrawal process is outlined in Article 28 of the Paris Agreement. It involves a formal notification to the United Nations climate body, followed by a one-year waiting period before the withdrawal takes effect. Until the withdrawal is final, the United States is obligated to maintain its commitments under the Agreement.
Implications of the Withdrawal
The U.S. withdrawal has far-reaching implications for both the global climate and international relations:
Setback to Climate Action
- Reduced Global Efforts: The withdrawal of the world’s largest economy and biggest historical contributor to climate change weakens the global pact aimed at mitigating rising temperatures.
- Increased Warming: Analyses have shown that the Paris Agreement has significantly reduced projected levels of warming, and the U.S. withdrawal further imperils nations’ hopes of preventing 1.5 degrees Celsius of warming since the Industrial Revolution.
- Challenges to Meeting Targets: The move will make it more difficult to achieve the agreement’s goals, especially with the Trump administration’s plan to increase fossil fuel production.
International Relations
- Reduced Influence: Although the U.S. can still participate in annual climate negotiations, it will do so with less influence than before.
- Global Leadership Void: The U.S. withdrawal leaves a void in global climate leadership, potentially allowing other nations to assume a more prominent role.
- Damaged Relationships: The decision is likely to strain relationships with international partners who strongly support the Paris Agreement.
Domestic Impacts
- Policy Reversals: The Trump administration is expected to repeal many of the climate spending and environmental actions taken by the previous administration.
- Fossil Fuel Boost: The administration aims to boost fossil fuels, which are the primary driver of climate change, further hindering climate action.
The First Withdrawal and Rejoining
The United States initially joined the Paris Agreement in 2016 under the Obama administration. The U.S. committed to reducing the country’s greenhouse gas emissions by 26-28% below 2005 levels by 2025, also pledging US$3 billion to the Green Climate Fund. However, President Trump announced the U.S. withdrawal from the agreement in 2017, which took effect on November 4, 2020.
Following the 2020 presidential election, President Joe Biden took action to rejoin the agreement. On his first day in office, January 20, 2021, Biden signed an executive order to rejoin the agreement, with the U.S. officially rejoining on February 19, 2021. This decision was lauded internationally as a return to global climate leadership.
U.S. Commitments
Upon rejoining, the United States renewed its commitment to partnering with other nations to tackle climate change and set ambitious goals to meet the urgent demands of the climate crisis. The U.S. rejoined with the aim of implementing strategies to reduce emissions and promote sustainable growth.
The Current Withdrawal
President Trump’s recent announcement to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Agreement for the second time comes as a major blow. The formal withdrawal process is set to take a full year from the date the Trump administration formally notifies the United Nations climate body. This decision raises questions about the continuity of international climate progress and the U.S.’s role in global climate efforts.
Impact on Future Climate Action
The current decision further undermines the goals of the Paris Agreement, jeopardizing the international community’s ability to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. With the world already facing devastating climate impacts, the U.S. withdrawal is a considerable setback to worldwide climate goals.
Reactions to the Announcement
The announcement has been met with strong criticism both domestically and internationally, from environmentalists, scientists, business leaders and religious organizations. Many view this action as a step backward in the fight against climate change and a missed opportunity to take action.
Conclusion
President Trump’s decision to withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Agreement for a second time underscores the continued challenges in achieving global climate goals. This move not only diminishes global efforts to mitigate climate change but also raises questions about international collaboration and the U.S.’s commitment to environmental sustainability. As the world grapples with the escalating impacts of climate change, the U.S.’s absence from this crucial agreement is a significant loss in the fight against this global challenge.
