- Trump withdrew the U.S. from the Paris Agreement and declared a national “energy emergency” to boost fossil fuel production.
- Critics warn the move undermines global climate efforts, potentially reducing U.S. emission cuts to 24-40% by 2035.
- U.S. states, businesses, and international climate advocates vow to continue pushing for renewable energy and emissions reductions.
U.S. President Donald Trump has withdrawn the country from the Paris Agreement on climate change. He declared a national “energy emergency,” prioritising fossil fuel production to reduce Americans’ energy costs. This move reverses the U.S.’s role in international climate efforts.
Environmentalists and climate experts quickly criticised the decision, arguing it ignores the urgent need to address global warming. The president’s plan focuses on increasing oil and gas output, which he claims will boost energy security. However, his approach risks undoing years of progress in emissions reductions.
The Paris Agreement, adopted in 2015, committed the U.S. to cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 61-66% by 2035, based on 2005 levels. Several reports have already indicated that the U.S. struggled to meet these targets. With Trump’s new strategy, emissions cuts could drop to 24-40%, according to the Rhodium Group.
Carbon Brief estimates that the U.S. will emit up to 4 billion more metric tons of CO2 by 2030, equaling the combined annual emissions of Europe and Japan. Trump’s withdrawal’s global impact significantly threatens climate cooperation.
While nearly all nations continue supporting the Paris Agreement, Trump’s decision could lead other countries to reconsider their commitments. China and India, two of the world’s largest emitters, might lower their climate efforts. Argentine President Javier Milei, a close ally of Trump, has already announced plans to reassess Argentina’s climate goals.
Despite Trump’s actions, several U.S. states, businesses, and local groups remain committed to the energy transition. They pledge to continue efforts to reduce emissions and increase renewable energy adoption. Laurence Tubiana, an architect of the Paris Agreement, maintains that global momentum toward a low-carbon economy will remain strong despite the U.S. withdrawal.
In recent years, record investments in renewable energy have been made, creating a strong financial foundation for the transition. However, many climate experts express concern about the lack of U.S. leadership in international climate efforts. Gina McCarthy, former climate advisor to Joe Biden, warns that global efforts to limit temperature rises to 1.5°C without coordinated federal action will suffer.
Trump’s first withdrawal from the Paris Agreement came in 2017 during his previous administration. After Joe Biden took office, the U.S. rejoined the accord, but Trump’s latest decision signals another retreat from global climate leadership.
This shift could disrupt international cooperation, with Trump’s fossil fuel push encouraging other nations to scale back their climate ambitions. Rising emissions and changing policies further complicate the path forward for global climate action.
While Trump’s withdrawal poses challenges, advocates for renewable energy remain hopeful. Subnational and private actions continue to drive the global transition to a greener future; however, will these efforts sufficiently compensate for the lack of federal leadership?