United States Withdrawal from the Paris Agreement

On November 4, 2020, the United States formally withdrew from the Paris Agreement, a landmark international accord aimed at combating climate change and its impacts. This decision was made under the administration of President Donald Trump, marking a significant shift in U.S. environmental policy.

Background

The Paris Agreement, adopted in December 2015, is a global pact within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Its primary goal is to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, with efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The agreement requires countries to set and report on their own national targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions, known as Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

The United States, under President Barack Obama, played a crucial role in the formation of the Paris Agreement and was one of the initial signatories. The U.S. committed to reducing its emissions by 26-28% below 2005 levels by 2025.

The Withdrawal Process

President Trump announced his intention to withdraw from the Paris Agreement on June 1, 2017, citing concerns that the accord would undermine the U.S. economy and put the country at a disadvantage. However, due to the terms of the agreement, the earliest the U.S. could formally exit was November 4, 2020, exactly one day after the 2020 presidential election.

The withdrawal was part of a broader rollback of environmental regulations and policies during the Trump administration, which argued that the agreement was unfair to the United States and would lead to job losses in industries such as coal and manufacturing.

Rejoining the Agreement

The decision to withdraw was met with widespread criticism both domestically and internationally, with many arguing that it undermined global efforts to address climate change. Environmental groups, scientists, and numerous world leaders expressed concern over the potential impacts on global climate initiatives.

Following the election of President Joe Biden, the U.S. rejoined the Paris Agreement on February 19, 2021. President Biden signed an executive order on his first day in office, January 20, 2021, to re-enter the accord, signaling a renewed commitment to addressing climate change and restoring U.S. leadership in international climate policy.

Significance

The withdrawal and subsequent rejoining of the Paris Agreement by the United States highlight the challenges and complexities of international climate policy, particularly in balancing economic and environmental priorities. The U.S.’s participation is crucial due to its significant contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions and its influence on global climate negotiations.

The events surrounding the U.S. withdrawal and re-entry into the Paris Agreement underscore the importance of international cooperation in tackling climate change and the role of domestic politics in shaping environmental policy.