US Becomes Only Nation To Twice Exit Paris Climate Pact As Trump Abandons Global Cooperation

Last Updated:January 28, 2026, 07:04 IST

The White House also declared it would exit the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the treaty under which Paris was adopted.

US President Donald Trump (AP)

The United States has officially withdrawn from the Paris climate agreement for the second time, making it the only nation to have left the landmark accord and positioning America alongside Iran, Libya and Yemen as the sole countries outside the global climate pact.

The departure, which US President Donald Trump announced on his first day back in office last January, comes as the White House also declared it would exit the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the treaty under which Paris was adopted.

Will US Withdrawal Derail Global Climate Progress?

While the American exit complicates international climate efforts, it has not halted momentum entirely. Investment in low-carbon energy continues to outpace fossil fuel spending globally. Renewable sources accounted for more than 90% of new power generation capacity last year and now represent the cheapest option for new electricity in much of the world.

Who Is Filling The Leadership Vacuum?

China has increasingly emerged as a dominant force in the green transition, even as it remains the world’s largest coal consumer. Chinese emissions appear to have peaked last year and the country’s clean energy sector now controls critical supply chains: Chinese electric vehicle maker BYD recently surpassed Tesla in sales while Chinese manufacturers produce over 80% of the world’s solar panels and approximately 70% of wind turbines. However, experts warn that America’s climate abdication may actually slow China’s ambitions. In September, China pledged to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 7-10% within a decade- a target widely criticized as insufficient.

Are Any Countries Following America’s Lead?

Israel is reportedly considering a similar withdrawal from the Paris agreement. Yet the US departure has also prompted some nations to take bolder action. At last year’s COP30 talks in Brazil, Colombia and the Netherlands announced plans to host the first international talks focused on phasing out fossil fuels, alongside Pacific Island nations.

Can Global Climate Goals Survive Without US Participation?

The timing of the withdrawal could hardly be worse as the world continues to experience record heat, worsening natural disasters and mounting economic losses tied to the climate crisis. Donald Trump’s policies risk pushing America to the margins of global climate efforts while potentially slowing momentum elsewhere. The withdrawal also reinforces perceptions of American unreliability on the world stage.

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