UN Secretary-General wants US to re-engage in Paris Agreement
After receiving the US's formal communication regarding its exit from Paris Agreement, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urged the nation to re-engage in the climate deal. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric stated the Secretary-General received the communication from US's Permanent Representative to the UN, Nikki Haley. He added Guterres would welcome any effort by the US to remain engaged in the agreement. Know more!
US formally informs UN about its Paris Agreement withdrawal
The US officially notified the United Nations regarding its intent to exit from the 2015 Paris Agreement "as soon as it is eligible to do so." The move is in line with President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw, which was one of his major campaign promises. However, the US would continue to participate in global climate change talks despite leaving the accord.
US issues first written notification
Today, the US submitted communication to @UN regarding the US intent to withdraw from the #ParisAgreement. https://t.co/ifcmK6CNDl
— Department of State (@StateDept) August 4, 2017
What is Paris Agreement on climate change?
The Paris Agreement aims to control the rise in global temperatures due to climate change and carbon emissions. While 195 countries agreed to the pact, Syria and Nicaragua opposed. The signatories agreed to limit the amount of green gas emissions, review each other's contribution every five years, and enable developed nations to help poorer countries adapt to climate change and shift to renewable energy.
The letter submitted by US State Department
The Department wrote: "As the President indicated in his June 1 announcement and subsequently, he is open to re-engaging in the Paris Agreement if the United States can identify terms that are more favorable to it, its businesses, its workers, its people, and its taxpayers."
Will participate in ongoing talks: The US's written statement
"The United States will continue to participate in international climate change negotiations and meetings, including the 23rd Conference of the Parties of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, to protect US interests and ensure all future policy options remain open to the administration."
US: One of the biggest carbon polluters
The US's withdrawal would be processed after 4 Nov'19; the procedure would be complete around the time of the next US Presidential Election in 2020. If there's a new President, he/she may decide to rejoin the accord. American think-tank Climate Interactive says if all nations keep their Paris Agreement promises, the average global surface temperature will rise by 3.3C or 3.6 (if US withdraws).
