Trump withdraws US from world’s most important climate treaty

In a significant shift in environmental policy, Donald Trump has announced the United States' departure from the crucial UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) alongside leaving 65 other international organizations. This move marks a deeper commitment to dismantling longstanding global collaborations aimed at combating climate change. The announcement, made in a presidential memorandum on Wednesday evening, indicates that the US will part ways with numerous multilateral groups primarily focused on environmental issues, renewable energy, education, and human rights. Notable organizations affected by this withdrawal include the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which consists of a global network of climate scientists, as well as the International Trade Centre and the UN Population Fund. Simon Stiell, the executive secretary of the UN's climate division, lamented the US's exit, labeling it a “colossal own goal” that could ultimately undermine national security and economic prosperity. The UNFCCC, established in 1992, forms the foundation for international efforts to tackle climate change, making this decision particularly impactful. This latest development follows Trump’s previous declaration to withdraw from the 2015 Paris Agreement, a decision he made during his first term, making the US the only nation to exit the pact at that time. Although President Joe Biden reinstated the US in the agreement, Trump's current actions signal a renewed commitment to his “America First” agenda. The White House justified the withdrawal from these organizations by stating it aims to reduce expenses for American taxpayers, arguing that billions have been spent with minimal returns. According to a factsheet released with the executive order, many of these organizations often critique US policies or promote agendas inconsistent with American values, leading to the decision to withdraw.