United Nations estimates USA climate move could add 0.3 degree temperature rise

Municipal governments around the world are bathing their city halls and landmarks with green light to show their support for the Paris Agreement on climate action, after President Donald Trump announced Thursday that the USA would withdraw from the accord.

The U.S. decision is "deeply regrettable, and by that I am really measuring myself", Ms. Merkel told reporters.

But Cañete went on to say that Trump's decision had "galvanized us rather than weakened us" and that the Paris accord signatories would remain "on the right side of history".

Fox, who has clashed with Trump since last year's presidential campaign, said the USA leader's decision "condemns this generation and those to come" and would leave "a dark legacy just to satisfy your greediness".

Some corporations that had supported the Paris agreement were quick to signal that Trump's decision would not change their plans.

The U.S. cities and states still planning to follow the goals of the agreement are reportedly negotiating with the United Nations and submitting a plan to officially be part of the deal.

It, however, said the President "reassured the leaders that America remains committed to the Transatlantic alliance and to robust efforts to protect the environment".

Australia's foreign and environment ministers said Canberra was disappointed with the U.S. withdrawal and reaffirmed the nation's "strong commitment" to the Paris Agreement.

President Hilda Heine expressed disappointment and confusion at the United States decision and said it would have grave implications.

Inventor and entrepreneur Elon Musk said he would keep his promise to end his participation in two presidential councils after Trump issued his decision. "This agreement is less about the climate and more about other countries gaining a financial advantage over the United States", he said.

Leaders of a cluster of small remote island states in the Pacific, which are at the forefront of the battle against climate change and already suffering the effects of unpredictable weather, expressed deep disappointment at the controversial move. "So the Paris agreement has to be in force for three years before you can actually submit a notice formally for withdrawal, which takes at least a year".

Macron added that China, Russia and India had confirmed their commitment to the agreement.

European heavyweights France, Germany and Italy said in a joint statement on Thursday that they regretted Trump's decision to withdraw from the accord, while affirming their "strongest commitment" to implement its measures.

He predicted Washington would eventually reverse its decision.

Hendricks said the absence of $500 million contributions from the United States to the Green Climate Fund will be felt from 2018, but suggested the gap could be filled with "other financing mechanisms, for example through the World Bank".

Belgian Prime Minister Charles Michel condemned Trump's decision as a "brutal act" against the Paris accord. Reports said that not everything was well between German Chancellor Merkel and Trump over the issue. Jamey Keaten in Geneva and Raf Casert in Tallinn, Estonia, contributed.