U.S. Withdrawal from the Paris Agreement - June 2, 2017

On June 2, 2017, President Donald Trump announced that the United States would withdraw from the Paris Agreement, an international treaty aimed at combating climate change through mitigation, adaptation, and finance strategies. This decision marked a significant shift in U.S. climate policy and was met with widespread international criticism.

Background

The Paris Agreement, adopted in December 2015 under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), brought together 196 countries with the goal of limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Each participating country submitted nationally determined contributions (NDCs) outlining their plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The U.S., under President Barack Obama, played a crucial role in the formation of the agreement and committed to reducing its emissions by 26-28% below 2005 levels by 2025.

Key Events Leading to the Withdrawal

• 2016 Presidential Campaign: During his campaign, Donald Trump frequently criticized the Paris Agreement, arguing that it disadvantaged the U.S. economy and favored other countries.
• Policy Review: After taking office in January 2017, President Trump initiated a review of U.S. climate policies, including the Paris Agreement, to assess their impact on American jobs and industries.

The Announcement

On June 2, 2017, in a speech at the White House Rose Garden, President Trump declared the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement. He cited concerns over economic impacts, stating that the agreement imposed unfair environmental standards on American businesses and workers. Trump expressed a willingness to renegotiate the terms of the agreement or seek a new deal that he deemed more favorable to the U.S.

International and Domestic Reactions

• Global Criticism: The decision was met with disappointment and criticism from world leaders, environmental groups, and climate scientists. Many countries reaffirmed their commitment to the agreement, emphasizing the importance of collective action against climate change.
• Domestic Response: Within the U.S., reactions were mixed. Several states, cities, and businesses pledged to uphold the goals of the Paris Agreement independently. Prominent figures in the business and political sectors expressed concern over the potential loss of U.S. leadership in global climate efforts.

Aftermath and Consequences

• Diplomatic Impact: The withdrawal strained U.S. relations with key allies and diminished its influence in international climate negotiations.
• Climate Policy: Despite the federal withdrawal, numerous subnational entities and private sector leaders continued to pursue aggressive climate policies, forming coalitions like the “We Are Still In” movement to demonstrate their commitment to the Paris goals.
• Rejoining the Agreement: On January 20, 2021, President Joe Biden signed an executive order to rejoin the Paris Agreement, signaling a renewed U.S. commitment to addressing climate change on the international stage.

The U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement in 2017 highlighted the complexities of balancing economic and environmental priorities and underscored the challenges of achieving global consensus on climate action.