The United Nations has confirmed that the United States officially notified its withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, with the decision set to take effect in January 2026. This marks the second time the US has opted to exit the climate accord, signaling a significant shift in its federal climate policy under President Donald Trump.
The United Nations has confirmed that the United States has officially notified its decision to withdraw from the Paris climate change agreement. The notification, received by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on January 27, 2025, marks a significant moment in the global climate discourse.
Stephane Dujarric, the UN spokesperson, confirmed the withdrawal at a daily briefing, stating, “The United States notified the Secretary-General, in his capacity as depositary, of its withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, effective January 27, 2026.” The decision follows the provisions outlined in Article 28, paragraph 2, of the Paris Agreement.
The announcement comes after US President Donald Trump signed an executive order on his first day back in office, reaffirming his commitment to exit the climate accord. This marks the second time the US has taken steps to withdraw, following the first exit in November 2020 under the Trump administration. During the post-inauguration rally, Trump signed a letter to the UN Secretary-General formalising the withdrawal.
Before leaving office, President Joe Biden had submitted an updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) target to the UN, aiming for a 61-66% reduction in US greenhouse gas emissions by 2035. However, Trump’s return to the White House signals a reversal of the previous administration’s climate policies, including rolling back Biden-era climate measures and pushing for increased energy exploration and production on federal lands.
The withdrawal has significant implications for international efforts to combat climate change, undermining the global push to limit the rise in global temperatures to 1.5 degrees Celsius. The United Nations reiterated its commitment to the Paris Agreement and to supporting all efforts that effectively address the climate crisis.
This decision signals a major shift in US climate policy, with President Trump prioritising energy independence and deregulation, while leaving the future of the Paris Agreement uncertain.
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