US President Donald Trump announced the country’s withdrawal from the global climate deal. The President remarked that the Paris climate agreement would undermine our economy, hamstring our workers and weaken our sovereignty and gives undue advantage to India and China.
The President even categorically stated that the agreement is less about climate and more about other countries gaining financial advantage over the US. Though as per the President the US is willing to renegotiate the provisions of the agreement.
The US President even ignored pleas made by international allies and a significant section of US political and business leaders.
Former American president Barack Obama considered the agreement as a definite legacy of his tenure.
US President targeted India and China:
- According to the President the agreement gives undue advantage to India and China
- Under the provisions of the agreement, China can build additional coal plants and India will be allowed to double its coal production by 2020
- India has made its participation in the agreement contingent on receiving funds from developed countries
- India though stands at the second position in net emissions but our per capita emission is relatively lower
Response on US withdrawal from Paris agreement:
- India will continue to abide by the commitments that it had made but is not willing to shoulder any extra responsibility to compensate for US withdrawal
- France, Germany and Italy in a joint statement regretted the US decision to withdraw from the accord
- European union has even announced increased EU-China cooperation on climate change
What the Paris agreement aims to achieve:
- The agreement aims to limit the increase in global temperature well below 2 degrees Celsius above the pre- industrial levels and make efforts to limit it even below 1.5 degrees
- Developed countries will provide $100 billion every year to developing countries
- India and other emerging economies have also strived for an agreement based on historic responsibilities and thus enhanced contribution from developed countries
- The agreement focusses not just on mitigation but also includes adaptation, finance etc.
- It follows a bottom up approach wherein each country provides their Intended Nationally Determined Contributions(INDCs) on a voluntary basis
