Context:
The withdrawal of the U.S. from the Paris Agreement in 2017, under President Donald Trump, marked a significant shift in global climate policy.
Trump argued that the agreement imposed unfair climate regulations on the U.S., particularly since he believed that countries like China, classified as developing, were not held to the same standards.
On his first day in office, he not only withdrew from the Paris Agreement but also ordered the cessation of U.S. climate finance, which supported developing nations in their climate efforts.
Impacts:
- Trump's Policies on Fossil Fuels and Climate Finance:
- Trump pushed for increased fossil fuel production, including the extraction of more oil and gas, claiming that it was necessary for meeting the U.S. energy needs. This significantly slowed down efforts to transition to clean energy.
- The U.S. also stopped contributing to climate finance for developing countries, reducing vital funds needed for global climate adaptation and mitigation projects.
- Rejoining Under Biden:
- In 2021, President Joe Biden rejoined the Paris Agreement, signaling a return to global climate leadership and a commitment to cutting emissions.
- However, the legacy of Trump's policies, such as increased fossil fuel extraction and withdrawal from climate finance, continues to affect the U.S.'s ability to meet its emission reduction goals.
- Emission Targets and Challenges:
- The U.S. has set ambitious targets to reduce emissions by 50-52% by 2030, compared to 2005 levels, and by 62-66% by 2035. However, as of 2025, the country is not on track to meet its 2030 goal, partly due to the rollback of climate-friendly policies during Trump's tenure.
- The U.S. remains the second-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, and experts emphasize that without its full participation, the global goals of the Paris Agreement are unlikely to be met.
- Global Implications:
- Trump's policies could have a domino effect on other countries, particularly China, as they might use the U.S. withdrawal as a justification to ease their own efforts to reduce emissions. This raises concerns about the global momentum toward achieving climate goals.
- Additionally, the U.S. has a significant role in mobilizing private and international finance for climate action. Trump's stance on reducing climate finance could jeopardize the availability of funding for developing countries, further complicating global efforts to tackle climate change.
- Paris Agreement's Importance:
- The Paris Agreement, adopted in 2015, aims to limit global warming to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, with efforts to limit it to 1.5°C. It relies on the contributions of all major emitters, and the U.S.'s withdrawal represented a significant setback in these global efforts.

Way forward
- The world is now3 degrees Fahrenheit (1.3 degrees Celsius) above mid-1800s temperatures. Global temperatures surpassed the 2.7-degree Fahrenheit warming mark last year, making it the warmest year on record.
- According to theGlobal Carbon Project, the US is responsible for nearly 22% of the carbon dioxidereleased into the atmosphere since 1950. The US has the largest share of historical emissions and therefore the largest cleanup responsibility.
- Thefires in Los Angeles are the latest reminder that Americans, like everyone else, are affected by worsening climate change. America could continue to focus on the growth of clean energy and technology sectors to reduce energy costs.