Putting America First In International Environmental Agreements
Summary
President Trump is withdrawing the United States from the Paris Agreement on climate change, effective immediately upon providing notification. This reverses the decision by the previous administration to join the international agreement.
Impacts and Benefits
Withdrawal from the Paris Agreement will benefit fossil fuel industries and others whose economic interests could be harmed by emissions reductions requirements. It removes obligations on the US to meet specific climate goals.
Withdrawal harms international cooperation on climate change mitigation. It could damage the credibility and leadership role of the US in global environmental agreements.
The policy impacts other countries who relied on US participation and leadership in the Paris Agreement. It may discourage them from setting ambitious climate goals.
Withdrawal harms the long-term global effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate climate change risks. However, the US can still pursue domestic emissions reductions outside of the formal Paris Agreement.