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Laurence Tubiana, CEO of the European Climate Foundation and key architect of the Paris Agreement
The US withdrawing from the Paris Agreement is unfortunate, but multilateral climate action has proven resilient and is stronger than any single country’s politics and policies.
The context today is very different to 2017. There is unstoppable economic momentum behind the global transition, which the US has gained from and led, but now risks forfeiting. The International Energy Agency expects the global market for key clean technologies to triple to more than $2tn by 2035.
The impacts of the climate crisis are also worsening. The terrible wildfires in Los Angeles are the latest reminder that Americans, like everyone else, are affected by worsening climate change. Each fraction of a degree of warming avoided means less suffering, more secure futures, and better chances to adapt. That’s why we must keep fighting for 1.5C.
Responding to the demands of their citizens, cities and states across the US are taking bold action. America is All In accounts for 63 % of the population and 74% of GDP. There is a lot they can still do to work towards the new target set by the Biden administration – to cut emissions by 66 % by 2035.
Europe – alongside other partners – now has the responsibility and opportunity to step up and lead. By pushing forward with a fair and balanced transition, it can show that ambitious climate action protects people, strengthens economies, and builds resilience.
The climate crisis cannot be tackled by any country alone – it demands a multilateral response. But this moment should serve as a wake-up call to reform the system, ensuring that those most affected – communities and individuals on the frontlines – are at the centre of our collective governance.
Quotes from letter from New York Governor Kathy Hochul and New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, co-chairs of the U.S. Climate Alliance, submitted to UNFCCC’s Simon Stiell
(For the full press release and letter, reach out to Shravya at GSCC (+1-917-328-6973) Or Evan at Climate Alliance (EWestrup@usclimatealliance.org)
“We write as co-chairs of the United States Climate Alliance, a bipartisan coalition of two dozen governors representing nearly 60 percent of the U.S. economy and 55 percent of the U.S. population, to make it clear to you, and the rest of the world, that we will continue America’s work to achieve the goals of the Paris Agreement and slash climate pollution,”
“Our states and territories continue to have broad authority under the U.S. Constitution to protect our progress and advance the climate solutions we need. This does not change with a shift in federal administration.”
“It’s critical for the international community to know that climate action will continue in the U.S. The Alliance will bring this message to the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Brazil (COP30) later this year – just as we have at every COP since our coalition’s founding – as we work to implement our climate goals. We are also committed to tracking and reporting on our progress and look forward to working with you and the global community to identify the most impactful ways to do so.”
Gina McCarthy, former White House national climate advisor, 13th U.S. EPA Administrator, and Managing Co-Chair of America Is All In
“If the Trump administration truly wants America to lead the global economy, become energy independent, and create good-paying American jobs, affordable energy, and clean air – then they must stay focused on growing our clean energy industry. Clean technologies are driving down energy costs for people all across our country. And if they want to be tough on China, don’t punish U.S. automakers and hard working Americans by handing our clean car keys to the Chinese.
“The United States must continue to show leadership on the international stage if we want to have any say in how trillions of dollars in financial investments, policies, and decisions are made that will shape the course of our economy and the world’s ability to fight climate change. Our leaders have to face reality – climate impacts are a clear and present danger. It is not the time to bury our heads in the sand and pretend that more and more devastating, dangerous, and costly disasters won’t be heading our way; they are and they will get worse if we fail to embrace a clean energy future.
“By leaving the Paris Agreement, this Administration is abdicating its responsibility to protect the American people and our national security. But rest assured, our states, cities, businesses, and local institutions stand ready to pick up the baton of U.S. climate leadership and do all they can – despite federal complacency – to continue the shift to a clean energy economy. Day-in and day-out state and local efforts will be focused on delivering good-paying jobs, lowering energy bills, cutting pollution, and protecting our health. Just as it did during the last Trump Administration, Bloomberg’s America Is All In coalition will work with partners across our country and abroad to ensure we meet our responsibility to stay focused on achieving our climate targets. We cannot walk away from our obligation to protect Americans from the traumatic disasters that threaten our security, our health, our lives and livelihoods, and our economic prosperity.”
Frankie Orona, Executive Director, Society of Native Nations
“As Indigenous Peoples, we have long been stewards of the land, water, and air—resources that sustain all life. It is deeply disheartening to witness the incoming Trump administration prioritize corporate greed over the well-being of our communities, our environment, and future generations. The pursuit of LNG export projects, with blatant disregard for the devastating health and environmental consequences, represents a continuation of policies that value profits over people. These decisions threaten not only our sacred lands but also the broader ecosystems we all depend on, compromising the health of countless families in the name of short-term economic gain. We urge policymakers to honor their responsibility to protect the earth and respect the rights of Indigenous Nations, rather than perpetuate this destructive cycle.”
Dr. Rachel Cleetus, the policy director and lead economist for the Climate and Energy Program at the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS). She has been attending the U.N.’s international climate talks and has partnered with the international community on climate and energy policies for about 20 years.
“Withdrawing the United States from the Paris Agreement is a travesty. Such a move is in clear defiance of scientific realities and shows an administration cruelly indifferent to the harsh climate change impacts that people in the United States and around the world are experiencing. Pulling out of the Paris Agreement is an abdication of responsibility and undermines the very global action that people at home and abroad desperately need.
“Regardless of politics, the scientific imperative to address the climate crisis remains clear and necessitates urgent actions from U.S. and global policymakers. Last year was the first time global average temperatures exceeded 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels for an entire year. Unless world leaders act quickly, the planet is on track for up to a 3.1 degrees Celsius increase, which would be catastrophic. As the largest historical emitter of heat-trapping emissions, the United States has a responsibility to do its fair share to stave off the increasingly dire consequences of the climate crisis.
“Instead of seizing the opportunity to expand the economic and public health benefits of clean energy for people across the nation, while working together with the global community to solve this shared challenge, President Trump is choosing to begin his term pandering to the fossil fuel industry and its allies. His disgraceful and destructive decision is an ominous harbinger of what people in the United States should expect from him and his anti-science cabinet hellbent on boosting fossil fuel industry profits at the expense
of people and the planet. In addition to the obvious climate harms, such an extreme isolationist posture on a paramount issue of international diplomacy will have wider repercussions for the United States’ standing in the world and its ability to secure international cooperation on other issues of national importance.”
Abby Maxman, Oxfam America’s President and CEO
“Another U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement is more than reckless—it’s economic self-sabotage and a betrayal of every community, both in the U.S. and globally, already facing catastrophic storms, heat waves, and rising seas. We know from our humanitarian work around the world that climate-driven damage is increasing risks to lives and livelihoods, driving up costs for businesses and industries, and worsening inequality.
“The U.S. should be leading the fight for a livable planet—not only because of its responsibility as the largest historical polluter, but because ignoring the problem at our doorstep will harm people living in the United States, who have recently suffered severe damage from climate-driven disasters like the Los Angeles wildfires and will face even more in the years ahead.
“While we will have a climate denier in the White House, any predictions that this is ‘game over’ for climate ambition are wrong. Most Americans support climate action, and communities, cities, and states across the country are stepping up to work for a sustainable future. The struggle to protect our planet isn’t over—and together, we can still win.”
Linda Kalcher, Executive Director, Strategic Perspectives
“The incoming Trump administration could bring turbulent geopolitical times, not just for Europe. There is a risk that the EU turns into a deal-taker, at the mercy of an unpredictable US President.
Preserving Transatlantic relations cannot translate into weakening European laws or slowing down its net-zero transition. Instead, EU leaders can draw a clear line on democratic standards, the value of multilateralism and forging alliances with like-minded countries to advance the global energy transition.”
Alexandra Scott, Senior Expert, Climate Diplomacy at ECCO, the Italian Climate Change Think Tank
“The climate crisis is bigger than any one nation or political ideology. There are two major differences to the last time a Trump administration chose a different path to the rest of the world building economic opportunity and resilience through serious climate action and global cooperation. One is the scale of destruction the climate crisis is bringing – as the price tag on the LA fires has devastatingly shown. The second is the scale of economic opportunity in the clean energy and clean tech markets of the future. The promises Trump has made cannot be delivered without acting to prevent climate impacts and embrace the new economy.”
Fred Njehu, Pan-African Political Strategist for Greenpeace Africa
“Africa is a key player in the climate multilateral space, and this is not about to change. Climate Change is a global problem that transcends national borders, so Trump’s administration’s assault on the Paris Agreement is in itself, self defeating. Nations have made progress and are moving ahead to tackle the climate crisis, because without doing so we are confronted with dire consequences. Trump attempting to sabotage global efforts to tackle the climate crisis, is a huge threat to our future. Africa, being one of the continents facing the impacts of the climate crisis, will not stop in the face of those who choose to risk everything for the profit of a privileged few.”
Sunrise Executive Director Aru Shiney-Ajay
“These actions are an unprecedented handout to billionaires. They will make a small handful of rich men unimaginably richer while killing good-paying jobs and threatening our health and homes. As wildfires rage across California, families flee their homes, and workers struggle to make ends meet, Trump’s actions make it clear whose side he’s on: the billionaires and powerful corporations who bankrolled his campaign. Trump’s actions on day 1 of his administration make it unmistakable that he doesn’t care if we keep losing our jobs, homes, and lives — as long as he and his fellow billionaires keep getting richer.”
Faten Aggad, Executive Director of the African Future Policies Hub
“While this was expected not only due to the lack of commitment to the climate agenda but the immediate economic interests of the largest beneficiary of natural gas trade globally, it is nonetheless concerning. The world cannot afford to see the largest green house gas emitter per capita and the second largest emitter globally disengage from an agreement that is already under significant strain. Truth be told: we need the US to act seriously. After all, it is responsible for 13.5% of global emissions – more than 4-fold Africa’s contribution as a full continent. This is the moment for a stronger leadership from industrialised economies, whose higher ambition is the only way forward to compensate for the USA’s failures.”
Jiwoh Abdulai, Minister of Environment, Sierra Leone
“Climate Action requires long term commitments from all countries. Climate Change related disasters do not conform to political ideologies. We need continued multilateral commitment to collective action, reduction of greenhouse gases, especially by countries with historical responsibility for GHG emissions.”
Mouhamadou Sissoko, Secretary General Teranga Lab, Senegal
“I would like to express my deep concern at the decision by the United States to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, a move that undermines collective global efforts to combat climate change. This agreement represents an essential pact to limit the devastating effects of global warming, particularly for the most vulnerable populations, such as those on our African continent. This withdrawal compromises not only international cooperation, but also the financial commitments needed to support developing countries in their ecological transition and adaptation to climate impacts. This decision is a major setback at a time when the urgency of climate change calls for more concerted action, solidarity and greater ambition. Faced with this situation, we reaffirm our commitment to working for fair climate finance and inclusive solutions for the energy transition.”
Climate Mayors Chair and Phoenix Mayor Kate Gallego:
“Regardless of the federal government’s actions, mayors are not backing down on our commitment to the Paris Agreement. The cost of inaction is simply too high. As we have recently seen from the devastating wildfires in Los Angeles, extreme summer temperatures in Phoenix, and hard-hitting hurricanes in North Carolina and Florida, the effects of our changing climate are at our doorstep. Now, more than ever, we must accelerate our work to protect our communities, lower energy bills, create good-paying local jobs, and maintain our nation’s economic competitiveness by modernizing our infrastructure and investing in emerging markets.
“Our constituents are looking to us to meet the moment and deliver meaningful solutions, which is why we’re expanding our work with partners across the United States, from philanthropy and business leaders to members of Congress and governors. We’re building an implementation plan that meets our targets under the Paris Agreement and ensures that our cities remain resilient and prosperous for future generations.”
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson:
“Chicago and our peer cities are, and will remain, at the forefront of climate action. As the new federal administration abandons its duty to protect the planet from environmental collapse, Chicago will not waver from our duty to protect our communities’ health, safety and well-being. This means making low-cost, clean energy accessible to all, creating good-paying jobs in the green economy and preparing our neighborhoods to withstand more frequent and extreme weather events. Regardless of federal action, Chicago reaffirms our commitment to our planet, our people and our neighborhoods and vows to make every effort to drastically reduce carbon emissions, minimize our reliance on fossil fuels and leverage every opportunity to enhance the quality of life of our residents.”
La Crosse Mayor Mitch Reynolds, Co-Chair of the Mississippi River Cities and Towns Initiative:
“As Mayor of La Crosse, Wisconsin, and a National Co-Chair for the Mississippi River Cities & Towns Initiative, I urge the President to recognize what’s at stake if the United States withdraws from the Paris Climate Accords.
For U.S. farmers and manufacturers this isn’t just about policy. It’s about survival. Nations in Europe and Asia often prioritize products with low carbon footprints. Leaving the Paris Accords means farmers face a very real risk of reduced demand or stricter import regulations. Farmers in our region already battle unpredictable weather, devastating floods, and droughts that wreak havoc on their crops and livelihoods. They cannot afford to lose access to global markets through an ill-advised exit from the Paris Accords.
Farmers as well as manufacturers face the real threat of export penalties. As more countries implement carbon tariffs, U.S. businesses would face higher costs and lose ground in competitive global markets. That’s money and opportunity flowing away from our workers and into the hands of others.
Staying in the Paris agreement isn’t just the responsible choice—it’s a smart one. It opens doors to innovation, funding, and technologies that can transform our cities and towns, protect our river systems, and create a sustainable future for generations to come.
We simply can’t afford to turn away from this global agreement. We absolutely can’t afford to jeopardize the $164 billion in annual agricultural commodities that support Mississippi River economies. I urge the President and this administration to reconsider withdrawal. Regardless of that decision, with MRCTI, the Mississippi River will continue to have a voice at the table, fighting for sustainable U.S. trade, fighting for our manufacturers and farmers, fighting for our communities.”
Dr. Joyce Kimutai, Climate Scientist, Imperial College London & Kenya Meteorological Department
“Our world is in urgent need of climate action at all levels. While surpassing the Paris Agreement goal seems inevitable, bold and immediate steps must be taken by every nation. Even with the potential withdrawal of the United States from the Paris Agreement under the incoming regime—and hopefully not from the convention—the science remains unequivocal: climate change will continue to affect us all. The cost of inaction far outweighs the cost of action. Vulnerable communities, who have contributed the least to this crisis, are bearing the heaviest burdens. The increasing frequency and intensity of extreme weather events are eroding developmental gains and plunging countries further into debt. The longer we wait, the harder recovery will become, and the planet will face massive losses and damages.
With its immense potential and resilience, Africa stands ready to be part of the solution to this crisis. It is time for the continent to move forward together, united, even as others may choose a different path.”
Julius Mbatia, Just Climate Policy Expert
“It’s inconceivable that the US pulls out of the Paris Agreement and quench its strategic role in shaping the green and safe future that is in the making. This is not the leadership required at a moment when the majority of the people and States are mobilizing for climate action and issue unmatched commitment to tackling the climate crisis. As a major historical emitter and economic power house, US’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement signals a relinquishing of US’s political, diplomatic, and importantly economic leverage and advantage in a multi-polar world that inevitably continues to innovate, and create new green, low carbon products and supply chains. The world has lived through this once, and greater multilateral cooperation holds a promise to handle it yet again.”
Christopher Trisos, AXA Research Chair African Climate Risk
“The Trump administration pulling out of the Paris Agreement doesn’t change the fact that increasing burning of coal, oil, and gas only makes climate change worse. This will cause more substantial pain and suffering from climate change, including in the USA. Running away from it is impossible. Policies are needed to keep fossil fuels in the ground.”
UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell
“The global clean energy boom – worth USD 2 trillion last year alone and rising fast- is the economic growth deal of the decade. Embracing it will mean massive profits, millions of manufacturing jobs and clean air. Ignoring it only sends all that vast wealth to competitor economies, while climate disasters like droughts, wildfires and superstorms keep getting worse, destroying property and businesses, hitting nation-wide food production, and driving economy-wide price inflation.
The door remains open to the Paris Agreement, and we welcome constructive engagement from any and all countries.”
Manish Bapna, president and CEO at NRDC (Natural Resources Defense Council)
“Floods wash away entire communities, drought bakes croplands to chalk and firestorms engulf our cities in flames. This is no time to abandon ship, cut U.S. climate leadership adrift and throw our children overboard in dark and rising seas.
“This emboldens a fossil fuel industry determined to block climate action and locking in decades more dependence on the dirty fuels driving the climate crisis. It hamstrings American workers and companies in a global clean energy market worth $2 trillion last year alone. It condemns vulnerable nations to pay a price they can’t afford for a crisis they didn’t create.
“The rest of the world is shifting to clean energy. This will slow that transition, not stop it. But will the world break its dependence on fossil fuels quickly enough to avert the worst of climate catastrophe? Will the United States help to shape that future? Will U.S. workers and businesses benefit from its gains, or cede the field to others and watch opportunity slip from our grasp?”
“The United States must remain in the climate fight, uphold the spirit of Paris and keep its promise to the rest of the world. Two-thirds of the country supports clean energy and climate action that’s already creating jobs, cutting consumer costs and making the country more energy secure. As the administration works to reverse those vital gains, we’re counting on states, localities, the private sector and the people to step up and build on climate and clean energy progress.”
Dr. Jonathan Pershing, a veteran diplomat who has worked under four US presidents and attended every single UN COP climate summit.
“The climate crisis is a global issue that demands urgent action. Failure to act will lead to more wildfires, droughts, and harm to communities and businesses both in the United States and around the world. While the President is withdrawing the U.S. from the Paris Agreement, the reality is that the federal government alone was never going to solve the climate crisis.
That has always required an all-of-society approach. Notwithstanding the Administration’s decision to withdraw, many in business, state and local governments, civil society, and philanthropy remain committed to a clean and prosperous future for all. Through collaboration, dialogue, and finding common ground, we will ensure durable climate solutions that foster economic growth, strengthen communities, and build a more sustainable future.“
Evergreen Action Executive Director Lena Moffitt
“As we saw in Trump’s first term, hasty executive actions can be stopped or slowed by effective advocacy and litigation. Despite where Trump may want to take our country, we are still a nation of laws to which even his administration is beholden. Trump’s fossil fuel free-for-all jeopardizes our health, increases pollution, and takes more money out of the pockets of hardworking families. The message is clear: Donald Trump is determined to take us backward, and everyday Americans will feel the consequences. Regardless of President Trump’s irresponsible actions, we have critical work ahead in states and communities to continue to build a just, clean energy economy.” (Full statement)
Mandiaye Thiobane journalist and founder of espacedev.net, Senegal
After his inauguration on January 20th, Donald Trump could, as he had promised, submit a request to the UN to withdraw again from the agreement. This decision would then take effect in one year, in accordance with the provisions of the agreement, rather than three years as was previously the case, i.e. in 2017. This would be a serious blow to international climate diplomacy, forcing other countries to increase their efforts in the area of climate diplomacy.
During this period, the Trump administration could ignore the climate commitments made by the United States under President Joe Biden, with a Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) that aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 61% to 65% by 2035. Worse still, it will refuse to submit new plans for further reductions in carbon emissions. A blow for the Paris Agreement, one might say.
