US President Donald trump holds letter to teh UN stating the US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement during the inaugural parade inside Capital One Arena, in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2025.
jim Watson | Afp | Getty Images
U.S. President donald TrumpS pledge to withdraw from the landmark Paris climate agreement for a second time creates a leadership vacuum that other countries can benefit from, according to the United Nations’ top climate official.
Trump on Monday signed an executive order to pull the U.S.out of the world’s biggest coordinated effort to tackle rising temperatures. he also announced a “national energy emergency” to pare back many Biden-era environmental regulations adn vowed to ramp up fossil fuel production.
The order to withdraw from the Paris climate accord, which was widely expected, follows a similar move by the first Trump governance in 2017 and deals a major blow to global efforts to protect the environment.
The 2015 Paris Agreement is a framework designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and limit global warming to “well below 2, preferably to 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels” over the long term.
“We have been here before,” United Nations Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell said during a CNBC-moderated panel at the World Economic Forum on Tuesday.
A key difference between Trump’s 2017 decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement and Monday’s executive order, Stiell said, was the “significant momentum” to combat global warming in the intervening eight years.
“The world is undergoing an energy transition that is unstoppable.Last year alone, over $2 trillion was invested in the transition and that compares to $1 trillion in fossil fuels, so the signal is absolutely clear,” Stiell said.
“Anyone who steps back from this significant forward momentum creates a vacuum that others will fill and will benefit from. So, I think this kind of the framing context that we find ourselves in 14 hours after that statement,” he added.
Gulls fly in front of offshore oil and gas platform Esther on January 5, 2025 in Seal Beach, California.
Mario Tama | Getty Images News | Getty Images
Climate scientists condemned Trump’s order to remove the U.S. from the Paris Agreement, noting the pledge comes just weeks after U.S. and global scientific agencies confirmed the planet experienced its hottest year on record in 2024.
Trump also declared a “national energy emergency” to roll back many of the environmental regulations implemented during the Biden administration and pledged to increase fossil fuel production.
“This is a disgraceful decision that ignores the science and the urgent need to address the climate crisis,” said Ken Kimmell, president of the Union of Concerned Scientists, in a statement.
“The U.S. is the world’s largest ancient emitter of greenhouse gases and has a moral obligation to lead on climate action. Rather, President Trump is abdicating that responsibility and putting the health and safety of Americans and people around the world at risk.”
Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement for a second time comes as the world faces increasingly dire warnings about the impacts of climate change.
The United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has warned that global temperatures are on track to rise by more than 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels by the early 2030s, a threshold beyond which the impacts of climate change are expected to become increasingly severe and irreversible.
“the science is clear: we are in a climate emergency,” said Stiell.”The window of opportunity to avoid the worst impacts of climate change is rapidly closing. we need all countries to step up their ambition and take urgent action to reduce emissions and build resilience to the impacts of climate change.”
Trump’s decision to withdraw from the paris Agreement is likely to have significant implications for global climate action.
The U.S. is the world’s second-largest emitter of greenhouse gases,and its withdrawal from the Paris Agreement could make it more difficult for other countries to meet their own emissions reduction targets.
“The U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement is a major setback for global climate action,” said Stiell. “But it is not the end of the road. The rest of the world must continue to move forward and accelerate the transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient future.”
Trump’s decision to withdraw from the paris Agreement is also likely to have significant economic implications.
The U.S. is the world’s largest economy, and its withdrawal from the Paris Agreement could make it more difficult for other countries to attract investment in clean energy and other low-carbon technologies.
“The U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement is a major blow to the global effort to combat climate change,” said Stiell. “But it is also a major opportunity for other countries to step up and take the lead in the transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient future.”
Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris agreement is likely to have significant political implications as well.
The U.S. is a major player in global climate negotiations, and its withdrawal from the Paris Agreement could make it more difficult for other countries to reach consensus on key issues.
“The U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement is a major setback for global climate action,” said Stiell. “But it is not the end of the road. The rest of the world must continue to move forward and accelerate the transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient future.”
Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement is highly likely to have significant environmental implications as well.
The U.S. is a major emitter of greenhouse gases,and its withdrawal from the Paris Agreement could make it more difficult for other countries to meet their own emissions reduction targets.
“The U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement is a major setback for global climate action,” said stiell.”But it is not the end of the road. The rest of the world must continue to move forward and accelerate the transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient future.”
Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement is likely to have significant social implications as well.
The U.S. is a major player in global climate negotiations, and its withdrawal from the Paris Agreement could make it more difficult for other countries to reach consensus on key issues.
“The U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement is a major setback for global climate action,” said Stiell. “But it is not the end of the road. The rest of the world must continue to move forward and accelerate the transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient future.”
Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement is likely to have significant economic implications as well.
The U.S. is the world’s largest economy, and its withdrawal from the Paris Agreement could make it more difficult for other countries to attract investment in clean energy and other low-carbon technologies.
“The U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement is a major blow to the global effort to combat climate change,” said Stiell. “But it is indeed also a major opportunity for other countries to step up and take the lead in the transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient future.”
Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement is likely to have significant political implications as well.
The U.S. is a major player in global climate negotiations, and itsTrump Vows to ”Drill, Baby, Drill” in Second term, Sparking Climate Debate
In a bold declaration that has reignited the global climate debate, former President Donald Trump announced his intention to significantly boost oil and gas production if re-elected. Speaking during his inaugural address, Trump pledged to usher in a new era of energy exploration, stating, “We will drill, baby, drill.” This statement aligns with his long-standing skepticism of climate change, which he has previously labeled as “one of the great scams.”
Trump’s commitment to expanding fossil fuel production comes as a stark contrast to global efforts to combat climate change, particularly the Paris Agreement, which aims to limit global temperature rise. His stance has drawn mixed reactions from industry leaders and policymakers worldwide.
European Insurers Downplay Immediate Impact
European insurance giants have responded to Trump’s climate retreat with cautious optimism. Oliver Bate, CEO of Allianz, acknowledged the challenges but emphasized the need for action over rhetoric. “It’s tougher, but the gentleman has done it before, and the world knows it has to improve itself,” Bate told CNBC’s Squawk box Europe in Davos. He added, “We have reached the planetary boundaries, everyone knows that. maybe it’s time to talk about it less but do more.At least that is what we are trying to do in our industry.”
Zurich Insurance CEO Mario greco echoed this sentiment, downplaying the importance of Trump’s push to withdraw from the Paris Agreement.”I think we have to admit that the Paris Agreement has not delivered any of the plans,ambitions,targets that where expected,” Greco said.He emphasized the role of technology in addressing climate challenges, stating, “Without technology, we are not going to make this planet colder than it is today or it is going to be soon.So no, I don’t think this is the big event.”
A Shift in Climate Discourse
Trump’s renewed focus on fossil fuels highlights a growing divide in global climate policy. While many nations and corporations are doubling down on renewable energy and sustainability initiatives, Trump’s approach signals a potential rollback of environmental regulations in the U.S. This could have far-reaching implications for international climate efforts,particularly as the world grapples with the urgent need to reduce carbon emissions.
Key Takeaways
| Aspect | details |
|————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| Trump’s Energy Policy | Plans to boost oil and gas production with the slogan “Drill, baby, drill.” |
| Climate Skepticism | Calls the climate crisis “one of the great scams.” |
| Industry Response | european insurers emphasize action over rhetoric. |
| Paris Agreement Critique | Zurich CEO states the agreement has not met its targets. |
What’s Next?
as the 2024 election approaches, Trump’s energy policies are likely to remain a contentious issue. While his supporters view his stance as a boost to economic growth and energy independence, critics warn of the environmental consequences. The global community will be watching closely to see how this debate unfolds and what it means for the future of climate action.
What are your thoughts on Trump’s energy policies? Share your views in the comments below and join the conversation.
