World leaders, senior ministers, and key figures in climate diplomacy have reiterated their commitment to the Paris Agreement this week, responding to Donald Trump’s directive to withdraw the United States from the international climate pact.
Trump’s decision has dealt a significant blow to the global effort to limit temperature increases to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, as outlined in the treaty.
The likelihood of achieving this target was already diminishing, with the past year marking the first to consistently surpass the 1.5°C threshold. However, since the goal is assessed over years or even decades, immediate and aggressive emissions reductions could still influence the long-term outcome.
In addition to pulling the U.S. out of the Paris Agreement, Trump dismantled numerous regulations and incentives designed to curb fossil fuel consumption while signaling continued support for major oil companies.
The United States remains the world’s leading gas exporter, and under President Joe Biden, oil production surged to record levels. These developments risk counteracting recent advancements in renewable energy, spurred in part by Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act.
According to Adair Turner, chair of the Energy Transitions Commission think tank, Trump’s actions could contribute approximately 0.3°C to global temperature rise and might encourage other nations to scale back their carbon reduction commitments.
However, other countries have previously made climate progress without—or even despite—the U.S. Trump had also initiated the U.S. withdrawal from the agreement during his first term, though the process only took effect as he left office. Before that, global climate negotiations were delayed for years under President George W. Bush’s administration.
With this latest decision, the U.S. now stands alongside a small group of failed or conflict-ridden states—including Libya, Iran, and Yemen—in rejecting the 2015 climate accord.
While the U.S. has historically been one of the two largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, alongside China, its role has gradually diminished as emerging economies increase their share of global carbon output.
Global Reactions to Trump’s Decision
The European Union
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, reaffirmed Europe’s commitment to the agreement: “The Paris Agreement remains humanity’s best hope. Europe will stay the course and continue working with all nations that seek to protect nature and combat global warming.”
EU Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra called Trump’s move “a truly unfortunate development” but maintained that “despite this setback, we remain committed to working with the U.S. and our international partners to tackle climate change. The Paris Agreement has a strong foundation and is here to stay.”
The United Kingdom
Ed Miliband, the UK’s Energy Security and Net Zero Secretary, addressed a House of Lords committee on Tuesday, stating he would seek “common ground” with Trump and emphasizing that it remains in the U.S.’s “national self-interest” to confront the climate crisis. “We are strong supporters of the Paris Agreement,” he said. “The transition to clean energy is unstoppable.”
Referring to the recent COP29 summit in Azerbaijan, Miliband added, “Countries recognize that their national self-interest lies in remaining part of the Paris Agreement. The real danger is in failing to move forward. The transition may not be happening fast enough, but it is inevitable.”
Former UK Foreign Secretary William Hague wrote, “For a country that has just experienced devastating wildfires in Los Angeles and faces increasingly severe hurricanes to abandon the Paris climate agreement and remove all fossil fuel restrictions is to live in denial.”
Former UK Ambassador to the U.S. Kim Darroch and former UK Climate Envoy John Ashton co-authored a letter urging American climate advocates to work with international allies: “Climate failure will impoverish us all and make our volatile world even more unstable. We must collaborate with those in the U.S. and beyond who recognize the urgency of ending the fossil fuel era as quickly as possible.”
US President Donald Trump (Photo: Getty Images)
Canada
Steven Guilbeault, Canada’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change, criticized Trump’s decision in remarks to journalists: “It is deplorable that the U.S. president has once again chosen to withdraw from the Paris Agreement.
But the agreement is bigger than any one country—194 nations have continued the fight against climate change despite past U.S. absences.
Even as the federal government in Washington turns its back on climate action, we see strong support from individual U.S. states and the private sector. It is ironic that this decision comes while California endures its worst wildfire season in history.”
Guilbeault reiterated Canada’s stance: “Canada remains fully committed to its Paris Agreement obligations. By working together, Canada and the U.S. can achieve much more in promoting green growth and generating economic opportunities that also address climate change while preserving our lands and oceans.”
African Group of Negotiators
The African Group of Negotiators issued a joint statement condemning Trump’s decision: “This move directly threatens global efforts to limit temperature rise and mitigate catastrophic climate impacts, particularly for the world’s most vulnerable nations.
The U.S., as one of the largest historical carbon emitters, has a responsibility to lead climate action. By withdrawing from the Paris Agreement, the U.S. undermines years of hard-fought progress and sends a dangerous signal to the international community.”
The statement also highlighted the severe consequences for Africa and other developing nations: “Africa is already on the frontlines of the climate crisis, facing worsening droughts, floods, and extreme weather events that threaten lives, intensify food insecurity, and destabilize economies.
The absence of U.S. leadership deprives vulnerable nations of critical financial and technical support needed to adapt to these challenges, forcing them to bear an unjust burden.”
Evans Njewa, chair of the Least Developed Countries group, posted on social media: “We deeply regret the U.S.’s plans to exit the Paris Agreement. T
his threatens to undo hard-won progress in emissions reductions and places our most vulnerable nations at even greater risk. The Paris Agreement remains a vital climate pact, and we must safeguard it for the sake of our planet and future generations.”
China
Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun addressed the decision at a press conference: “Climate change is a challenge that affects all of humanity.
No country can remain unaffected, nor can any country solve this issue alone. China remains committed to working with all parties to actively tackle the challenges of climate change.”
Brazil
Brazilian Environment Minister Marina Silva, whose country will host the COP30 climate talks in Belém this November, criticized Trump’s stance: “These decisions run counter to policies grounded in scientific evidence and common sense. They ignore the reality of extreme weather events—even within the U.S. itself.”
