Trump Re-exits Paris Agreement
TL/DR –
US President Donald Trump has withdrawn the US from the Paris Agreement for a second time as of Inauguration Day, January 20, 2025, citing an unfair burden on the US economy and favoritism towards other big emitters like China. This news comes as 2024 was the hottest year on record, with global average temperature reaching 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. The withdrawal is expected to have massive global impacts, including severe effects on climate finance, especially for acutely vulnerable low-income countries and small island developing states.
US Re-Withdraws from Paris Agreement, Amplifies Climate Change Dilemma
On January 20, 2025, US President Donald Trump laid out a sweeping plan to increase fossil fuel production and retract environmental protections, leading to the US’s exit from the Paris Agreement. Trump acted swiftly, signing an executive order to withdraw the US from the agreement just a day after assuming office. The President justified this by stating that the agreement places an unfair burden on the US economy and favors other significant emitters like China.
This recent withdrawal is set to take effect after one year, coinciding with 2024 being the hottest year on record. Climate change has led to wildfires in Los Angeles, hurricanes in Southeast US, heavy rainfall flooding Spain’s Valencia, and floods in Bangladesh.
The 2024 UNEP Emissions Gap Report reveals the world is on track for up to 3.1 degrees Celsius warming by century’s end. Currently, the US contributes around 13% of global emissions, but historically this figure is 25%, making the US the largest contributor to date.
Trump’s re-exit from the Paris Agreement will likely lead to an aggressive rollback of environmental initiatives. However, progress towards clean energy may continue thanks to legislation like the Inflation Reduction Act and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. State, local, and private sector leaders are also showing support, along with the US Climate Alliance, which aims for net-zero emissions no later than 2050.
Nevertheless, Trump’s re-withdrawal poses a significant global impact. Climate finance will be affected, disrupting the efforts of low-income countries and small island developing states. The US’s leadership in transitioning away from dirty fuels will be missed, as will its influence on mobilising private and other forms of international finance for climate action.
With the US stepping back, European countries, China, and other G20 economies may have to step up. China is a key player here as it’s the largest emitter, though its historical share is about 12% since the First Industrial Revolution. China has pledged to support climate actions in other developing countries and aims at bridging the gap left by unmet pledges from Western nations, including the US.
However, Western countries object to China’s status as a developing country under the UNFCCC because it’s not obligated to contribute to climate finance. This sparks a debate as the US is expected to have a reduced role at the forthcoming COP30.
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