EU Politicians Condemn Trump’s Move to Pull Out of Climate Pact

The African Group of Negotiators on Climate Change is deeply disappointed by the unilateral decision by President Donald Trump to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement and promote polluting energy systems. This decision is a direct threat to global efforts to limit temperature rise and avert the catastrophic impacts of climate change, particularly for the world's most vulnerable nations,

the statement by Ali Mohamed read in part

Backsliding on climate commitments by developed countries, who bear the historical responsibility of emissions, will lead to a substantial increase in climate-induced losses and damages, particularly in developing countries,

the Kenyan envoy noted

Keeping to 1.5 degrees is quite simply a matter of survival,

Ethiopia’s top climate official Debasu Bayleyegn Eyasu, who chaired the Climate Vulnerable Forum (CVF), a group of developing nations most threatened by climate change, said at the May 2017 climate talks in Germany

Ma Jun (mechanical engineer)3rd century Chinese mechanical engineer

As the world's largest economy and top historical emitter, the US has a major responsibility in tackling global climate change. By exiting the Paris Agreement again, it shirks these duties. This is unfair to developing countries that have contributed little to emissions but are heavily impacted by climate change."

Ma Jun, director of the Beijing-based Institute of Public and Environmental Affairs, said

It is the policy of my administration to put the interests of the United States and the American people first."

The order stated

A band of governors, mayors and other leaders are committed to stand their ground and enact low-carbon policies that cut costs, create jobs, and build cleaner communities.”

But, Weyl said

Ani Dasguptapresident and CEO of World Resources Institute

While the US administration retreats, states, cities, and businesses across the US will continue driving climate action forward,

Dasgupta said in a statement released on Monday

It dealt a major blow to global climate governance and ambition,

she added

The WHO continues to demand unfairly onerous payments from the United States, far out of proportion with other countries’ assessed payments. China with a population of 1.4 billion, has 300 per cent of the population of the United States, yet contributes nearly 90 per cent less to the WHO,

the order said

Moreover these agreements steer American taxpayer dollars to countries that do not require, or merit, financial assistance in the interests of the American people,

the order said

Trump's plan aims to lower current oil prices and support traditional industries. However, the global trend is toward a green and low-carbon future. Unlike eight years ago, people now can see the opportunities in green transitions, which have already spurred economic growth in many regions,

he said

One of the main reasons that countries are not legally required to actually meet the emissions reduction pledges they put forward under the Paris Agreement is because the Obama administration indicated that with the increased political polarization around climate change over the two decades following the Rio Earth Summit, obtaining 67 votes in support of the agreement in the U.S. Senate would have been challenging,

said veteran climate analyst Alden Meyer of the European think-tank E3G

Formally, there is no agreement on how much the U.S. should provide. However, our work on Fair Shares – based on U.S. historical emissions and ability to pay - finds that the U.S. contribution should be $44.6 billion per year,

Mercy Corps climate lead Debbie Hillier said in an email

The countries themselves” decide what it's in those goals with no punishment for countries missing goals

Depledge said

Xu Liang (footballer)chinese footballer

First, the internal fight between different groups advocating for clean energy and those supporting traditional energy may intensify. Second, it could push the US into a backward position in industries such as new energy vehicles, especially at a time when clean energy is the trend in global development,

Xu said

Sunita Narainindian environmentalist

What Trump has done is a complete denial of the emergency of climate change. It’s not just an executive order to withdraw from Paris Agreement, it’s a reversal of all decisions that were taken to tackle climate change,

said Sunita Narain, director general, Centre for Science and Environment

Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement is more than a moral failure — it is a direct threat to global solidarity, multilateral cooperation, and the fight for climate justice,

said Harjeet Singh, Climate Activist and Founding Director of Satat Sampada Climate Foundation

It will be key to observe how Europe and rest of rich world behaves,

added Narain

Arunabha Ghoshdr

Climate risks are now macroeconomic risks — and climate policy is now industrial policy. Meaningful collaboration opportunities still exist on adaptation, resilience and insurance against climate shocks on one hand, and development and diversification of clean tech development, manufacturing and supply chains, on the other,

added Ghosh

This reckless move sends a dangerous signal to developing nations like India, which are demonstrating remarkable leadership with ambitious climate plans despite facing immense challenges. India’s progress relies on fair and robust financial support — support that Trump’s actions have callously undermined,

he added