Countries Leaving Paris Agreement

Countries Leaving Paris Agreement
18/09/2022 Mats Bentzen

In recent years, the Paris Agreement has been at the forefront of international discussions surrounding climate change and global warming. The agreement, which was adopted in 2015 by 196 countries, seeks to limit global temperature rise to less than 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. However, despite the concerted efforts of many nations to meet the agreement`s targets, there has been a growing trend of countries leaving the Paris Agreement.

The most high-profile country to exit the Paris Agreement was the United States, which officially withdrew in November 2020 under the Trump administration. President Trump`s decision to leave the agreement was met with widespread criticism from environmentalists and activists who argued that the move signaled a lack of commitment to addressing global climate change. The Biden administration, which took office in January 2021, has since rejoined the agreement.

Other countries that have either left or expressed their intention to leave the Paris Agreement include Brazil, which signaled its intention to withdraw from the agreement under the Bolsonaro administration in 2019, and Australia, which has faced intense criticism from environmental groups for its perceived lack of commitment to the goals of the agreement.

Critics of the Paris Agreement have argued that it places too great a burden on developed countries to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions while allowing developing countries to continue to emit at high levels. Additionally, some have argued that the agreement allows countries to set their own emissions targets, which makes it difficult to enforce compliance.

Despite these criticisms, the Paris Agreement remains a critical tool in the fight against climate change. It is seen as a symbol of global cooperation in addressing climate change, and many countries are committed to meeting the targets set forth in the agreement. While the trend of countries leaving the Paris Agreement is cause for concern, it is important to recognize that many nations remain committed to addressing the root causes of climate change.

As the world continues to grapple with the impact of climate change, it is clear that the Paris Agreement will remain a central part of the international response. It is essential that nations work together to meet the goals laid out in the agreement and take meaningful action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Only by working together can we hope to mitigate the worst effects of climate change and preserve our planet for future generations.