Donald Trump Signs Order to Exit Paris Climate Pact

In a decision echoing his 2017 move, President Donald Trump, set to take office next month, signed an executive order on Monday to withdraw the United States from the Paris climate agreement.

Announced just hours after Trump’s second-term inauguration, the move represents a major blow to global efforts to address climate change and has sparked widespread criticism both at home and abroad.

This decision mirrors Trump’s 2017 withdrawal, which officially took effect after the 2020 presidential election. While the Biden administration rejoined the agreement in 2021 and set ambitious goals to reduce US greenhouse gas emissions by over 60 percent by 2035, these plans now face renewed uncertainty.

It may be mentioned that the Paris Agreement, adopted in 2015 by 196 nations, aims to limit global temperature rise to well below 2°C (3.6°F) above pre-industrial levels, with an ambitious target of capping it at 1.5°C (2.7°F).

President Trump’s decision to withdraw signals his administration’s rejection of international climate commitments, citing concerns over US economic interests and taxpayer funds being directed to foreign nations.

As per reports, Trump’s executive order characterises the Paris Agreement as one of several international accords misaligned with US priorities, emphasising the need to prioritise national sovereignty. “The United States’ proven ability to balance economic growth with environmental protection should serve as an example for others,” Trump stated. Alongside the order, he formally notified the United Nations of the US intention to withdraw, triggering a year-long exit process.

Reports also note that Trump declared a 'national energy emergency' to boost drilling in the world's leading oil and gas-producing nation. He also announced plans to scrap vehicle emissions standards, which he described as an 'electric vehicle mandate,' and pledged to halt offshore wind farms, a frequent focus of his criticism.

However, the withdrawal has drawn sharp criticism from global leaders and climate advocates. According to the reports, Laurence Tubiana, CEO of the European Climate Foundation and a key architect of the Paris Agreement, called the move regrettable but reaffirmed the global momentum on climate action. “The climate crisis is intensifying, but the transition to clean energy is unstoppable,” Tubiana noted, referencing a USD 2 trillion global clean energy market projected by 2035.

Former White House climate adviser Gina McCarthy criticised the decision as shortsighted, stating, “Clean energy technologies are lowering costs and creating jobs across the US Abandoning this progress only hands economic leadership to our competitors.”

The reports indicate that global temperatures are already 1.3°C (2.3°F) above pre-industrial levels, with 2023 marking the hottest year on record. Scientists warn that further warming will exacerbate extreme weather events, such as droughts, hurricanes, and wildfires. Recent disasters, including devastating wildfires in Los Angeles and widespread flooding, underscore the urgency of global climate action.

Moreover, despite the US withdrawal, other nations remain steadfast in their commitments. “No country followed the US in its 2017 exit,” said Alden Meyer, a climate policy expert. However, concerns persist that a second US withdrawal could embolden nations like China to scale back their own efforts, potentially derailing global progress.

Further, reports said that Simon Stiell, Executive Secretary of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, urged the US to reconsider its position. “Turning away from the global clean energy transition benefits competitors while worsening the impacts of climate disasters. The Paris Agreement remains open to all nations, and we welcome renewed engagement from the US,” he said.

As Trump’s withdrawal reignites debates about America’s role in combating climate change, the global community faces the challenge of maintaining momentum on climate action without US leadership, striving to address one of humanity’s most pressing crises.