Trump Withdraws U.S. from Paris Climate Agreement, Sparking Global Backlash
Last week, Donald J. Trump For President 2024, Inc. was inaugurated as the 47th President of the United States.
His inauguration speech, full of defiant rhetoric and promises of renewal, encapsulated his vision for the country — a vision grounded in prioritising American industry, jobs and economic growth.
One of Trump’s earliest actions on assuming office was to sign an executive order, reversing the country’s progress on climate change and clean energy. These actions included a formal withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, a landmark international accord that sought to limit global temperature rise and curb the catastrophic effects of climate change.
“I am immediately withdrawing from the unfair, one-sided Paris climate accord rip-off,” Trump said, noting that cutting climate pollution does not work unless everyone does it. “The US will not sabotage its own industries while China pollutes with impunity.”
He added that – baselessly – that pulling out of the non-binding agreement would save America “over a trillion” dollars.
Trump also announced that he would dismantle policies that promoted electric vehicles (EV) and clean energy initiatives, including revoking the electric vehicle mandate.
“Through my action today,” he proclaimed, “we will end the Green New Deal and we will revoke the EV mandate, saving our auto industry and keeping my sacred pledge to our great American auto workers,” Trump thundered.
The withdrawal drew condemnation from billionaire Elon Musk tweeted: “Climate change is real. Leaving Paris is not good for America or the world.” Precisely.
Obviously, this withdrawal and the abandonment of progressive environmental policies may seem like a domestic victory for Trump’s base, but the international implications are far-reaching.
The decision not only undermines America’s leadership in the global fight against climate change but also has profound consequences for the health of the planet and the future of global cooperation on environmental issues.
The withdrawal comes after scientists declared that the world had breached the critical 1.5 degrees Celsius threshold of global warming. What it means is that humanity can ill afford to step back from aggressive climate action.
The Paris Climate Agreement, adopted by 196 countries at the COP21 summit in 2015, marked a pivotal moment in the global fight against climate change. For the first time in history, nearly all nations on Earth agreed to limit global temperature rise to below 2 degrees Celsius and to strive for efforts to limit the rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius. This ambitious goal was set in recognition of the fact that beyond 1.5 degrees Celsius, the world would likely witness irreversible damage to ecosystems, economies and human communities.
The US, as one of the largest historical emitters of greenhouse gases, played a critical role in securing the Paris Agreement. The country’s participation sent a powerful message to the international community that even the world’s largest economy was willing to take significant steps to reduce its carbon footprint.
The US commitment to the Paris Agreement underscored the importance of multilateral collaboration in tackling the existential threat of climate change. Now that Trump has withdrawn the US from the agreement, this has shaken the foundation of international climate diplomacy and cast doubt on the future of global climate action.
Scientists confirmed that for the first time in recorded history, global temperatures had surpassed 1.5 degrees Celsius of warming above pre-industrial levels. The 1.5-degree threshold had been established as a crucial limit in the Paris Agreement, as it represented the point beyond which the effects of climate change would become increasingly catastrophic and near-impossible to reverse.
The breach means that heatwaves, droughts, floods, wildfires and extreme storms would become more frequent and more intense, displacing millions of people, disrupting food and water supplies and straining global economies. Implied is that climate change would increasingly exceed the ability of humanity and the natural world to adapt.
By backing out, the US has signaled its unwillingness to take responsibility for the damage it has historically caused and to participate in the collective efforts necessary to mitigate further harm. This is not only a setback for global climate action but also a glaring violation of the principle of climate justice, particularly the “polluter pays” principle. This principle, which underpins the international environmental law, asserts that those who have contributed most to climate change should bear the responsibility for addressing its impacts. The US, as one of the largest historical emitters of greenhouse gases, should be held accountable for its past actions and its ongoing contributions to the climate crisis.
One of the key components of the Paris Agreement is the establishment of the Loss and Damage Fund (LDF), which is designed to provide financial assistance to countries that are most affected by climate-induced disasters. So, by pulling out, the US is not only distancing itself from its moral obligation but also signaling to the world that it will not contribute to LDF. This is a betrayal of the “legitimate expectation” of vulnerable countries that rely on financial support to cope with the escalating impacts of climate change.
While Trump framed his actions as a defense of American industry, particularly the fossil fuel sector, the economic and geopolitical consequences of the withdrawal are far from trivial. The global economy is rapidly shifting toward clean energy and countries that fail to adapt to this transformation risk being left behind. The clean energy sector, encompassing renewable energy technologies, EVs and energy efficiency measures, has already created millions of jobs worldwide and is expected to continue growing at an exponential rate in the coming decades.
The US auto industry, which Trump specifically referenced in his speech, is already undergoing a shift towards EVs. Leading companies such as Tesla, General Motors and Ford have committed to investing heavily in EV technology, and this trend is likely to accelerate as global demand for cleaner vehicles rises. By rolling back the EV mandate, Trump’s administration is not only hindering progress towards a cleaner transport sector but also diminishing the competitiveness of American companies in a global market increasingly dominated by EVs.
The international geopolitical ramifications of the US withdrawal are also significant. The US has long been seen as a leader in addressing global challenges, from economic crises to international security threats. Its decision to abandon the climate fight undermines its credibility and influence on the world stage. Developing countries that are already vulnerable to climate change will find themselves increasingly alienated by the US retreat. These countries have long relied on US leadership in climate negotiations and may now look to other powers such as China or the European Union for support.
Moreover, Trump’s actions could further weaken the international climate regime, making it more difficult to reach a global consensus on future climate goals. The Paris Agreement was built on the principle of “common but differentiated responsibilities,” meaning that while all countries are expected to act on climate change, wealthier nations are expected to shoulder a greater share of the burden due to their historical contributions. The withdrawal not only leaves a gap in emissions reductions but also sends a message to other countries that it is acceptable to prioritise short-term economic interests over long-term environmental sustainability.
While the international consequences of the withdrawal are significant, the decision also has profound domestic political implications. Trump’s decision is seen as a direct repudiation of the climate policies of his predecessors, particularly those championed by his predecessors, Barack Obama and Joe Biden. The two previous administrations had positioned the US as a leader in the global climate movement, committing to ambitious greenhouse gas reduction targets.
As the planet continues to warm and the consequences of climate change become increasingly evident, it is more important than ever for countries to put all hands on the deck in pursuit of a sustainable future.
The world cannot afford to wait any longer — global cooperation and bold action are needed to avert the most catastrophic impacts of climate change and to ensure a livable future for generations to come.
Food for thought!
Cliff Chiduku is a communications, public policy and governance expert with interests in climate change and environmental issues. He writes in his personal capacity. Feedback: cchiduku@gmail.com or Call/App +263775716517.
