The next major climate conference, COP30, is scheduled to take place in Brazil in November. Photo Credit: AFP
US President Donald Trump has formally announced the United States’ withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement.
The decision, conveyed in an official notification to the United Nations, will take effect on January 27, 2026, in line with the withdrawal process outlined in Article 28 of the agreement.
Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. said; “I can confirm that the United States has notified the secretary-general, in his capacity as a depository, of its withdrawal,” said Stephane Dujarric.
warming threshold
The withdrawal comes at a critical moment, as global temperatures over the past two years have surpassed the 1.5 degrees Celsius warming threshold, a key limit set by scientists to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.
The United States, as the world’s largest economy and one of the top contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, plays a crucial role in global climate efforts. Washington typically provides 22 percent of the UN climate body’s budget, with operating costs for 2024-2025 projected at $96.5 million.
To compensate for the funding gap, billionaire philanthropist Michael Bloomberg has pledged financial support to the UN climate secretariat, ensuring that international climate negotiations and initiatives continue.
national energy emergency
Since returning to office, Trump has made clear his administration’s commitment to expanding fossil fuel production. He has declared a “national energy emergency”, pledged to increase oil and gas drilling, vowed to roll back vehicle emissions standards, and announced plans to halt offshore wind farm projects.
Critics argue that the US, withdrawal undermines global cooperation in reducing fossil fuel dependence, potentially emboldening other high-emission countries such as China and India to weaken their commitments.
Argentina, under libertarian President Javier Milei, has also signalled that it is “revaluating” its participation in the accord.
Despite the US exit, the UN has reaffirmed its commitment to the Paris Agreement, with Dujarric stating, “We support all effective efforts to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius.”
As the international community responds to the U.S. withdrawal, attention now turns to how global climate leadership will evolve—and whether other major economies will step up in the absence of American participation.
About the Author
