03 June, 2017
The statement follows speculation that President Donald Trump may soon announce US withdrawal from the Paris worldwide agreement of 2015 to reduce climate-warming carbon emissions.
Almost 200 nations agreed in 2015 to voluntarily reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Axios reported Wednesday that Trump has chose to withdraw from the accord, citing two people with knowledge of the decision. Trump said that he would begin negotiations to re-enter the agreement or establish "an entirely new transaction" to get a better deal for the U.S. But he suggested re-entry was hardly a priority.
"Generations from now, Americans will look back at Donald Trump's decision to leave the Paris Agreement as one of the most ignorant and unsafe actions ever taken by any president", Sierra Club executive director Michael Brune said in a statement. The decision has no direct impact on major US regulations on power plants and vehicle rules now aimed at reducing carbon emissions, although those are now under review by Trump as well. But he was also breaking from many of America's staunchest allies, who have expressed alarm about the decision. "There will be bumps along the path. but with everyone's participation, the world can bring the Paris Agreement fully to life".
The U.S. may also become a clean energy laggard, as manufacturers and investors flock to China, India, Europe, and other nations that more openly embrace the low-carbon economy.
Trump, a Republican who has claimed global warming is a hoax, has moved quickly since taking office to delay or block restrictions on burning of fossil fuels enacted by his predecessor that he claims are holding back economic growth. Under former President Barack Obama, the USA had agreed under the accord to reduce polluting emissions by about 1.6 billion tons by 2025.
So was opposition from environmental groups.
"It is a reason to build ever broader coalitions? with civil society and business, with cities and states, with academia and community leaders", Guterres said yesterday. "And climate solutions provide opportunities that are unmatchable", he said.
Global leaders began reacting to the reports of Trump's plans. Still, the United States remains the world's second largest emitter of carbon dioxide.
"There is a much stronger expectation from our partners across the world, from Africa, Asia and China, that Europe should assume leadership in this effort and we are ready to do that", Sefcovic added. Without mentioning the USA specifically, Li said that "China in recent years has stayed true to its commitment" and pointed out that his was one of the first countries to ratify the 2015 Paris Agreement.
"We believe that it would be important for the USA not to leave the Paris agreement", Guterres said in response to a question following his address at New York University. Trump promised to stop implementation of the "non-binding" parts of the deal immediately. That promise helped rally supporters sharing his scepticism of global efforts to police USA carbon emissions. Climate change is unstoppable.
He said 80 percent of the world's energy still comes from fossil fuels - oil, gas and coal - and that would not change overnight. Trump met with Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Scott Pruitt, a Paris critic, on Tuesday.
President Donald Trump declared Thursday he was pulling the United States from the landmark Paris climate agreement, striking a major blow to worldwide efforts to combat global warming and distancing the country from its closest allies overseas. Major U.S. allies, business leaders and even the Pope had urged the U.S.to remain in the deal.
A top European Union official said the EU and China believe Trump made a grievous error.
During Trump's overseas trip last week, European leaders pressed him to keep the U.S.in the landmark agreement.
Senior adviser Steve Bannon, who wants Trump to focus on actions that will rev up his conservative political base, has long opposed the Paris accord.
"This agreement is less about the climate and more about other countries gaining a financial advantage over the United States", Trump said.
Trump has several options, climate experts said.
Oil majors Shell and Exxon Mobil have also supported the pact along with a number of Republican lawmakers. While traveling overseas last week, Trump was repeatedly pressed to stay in the deal by European leaders and the Vatican.
