What Does the Paris Agreement Mean for the US?

By Anna Duncan

The Paris Agreement is a global initiative aimed at combating climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The agreement was adopted in 2015 at the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) Conference of Parties (COP21) held in Paris, France. The agreement has been ratified by 189 countries, including the United States.

What is the Paris Agreement?

The Paris Agreement sets a goal to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit) above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase even further to 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit). To achieve this goal, countries have agreed to work together and take action to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions.

What does it mean for the US?

The US is one of the largest emitters of greenhouse gases in the world and therefore plays a crucial role in achieving the goals set by the Paris Agreement. Under President Obama’s administration, the US pledged to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 26% to 28% below its 2005 levels by 2025.

However, in June 2017, President Trump announced that he would withdraw the US from the Paris Agreement, citing concerns over its impact on American jobs and economic growth. The withdrawal process officially began in November 2019 and was completed on November 4th, 2020.

Impact of US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement

The US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement has raised concerns about its impact on global efforts to combat climate change. The US is responsible for around 15% of global greenhouse gas emissions and its withdrawal could make it harder for other countries to achieve their Targets under the agreement.

Moreover, it sends a negative signal about America’s commitment towards addressing climate change. This move has been criticized by many countries and organizations worldwide who believe that the US should take a leadership role in this critical issue.

Conclusion

The Paris Agreement represents a crucial step towards addressing climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. While the US withdrawal from the agreement is a setback, it is important to remember that many states, cities, and businesses in the US are still committed to reducing their carbon footprint. Additionally, with President-elect Joe Biden’s plans to rejoin the Paris Agreement upon taking office in January 2021, there is hope for renewed American leadership on this issue.