UN, partners express regret over US exit from Paris climate accord
The US on Wednesday formally left the Paris Agreement, a global pact it helped forge five years ago to avert the threat of catastrophic climate change.
The United Nations and its partners has regretted on United States withdrawal from Paris climate accord, reports UN news.
The US on Wednesday formally left the Paris Agreement, a global pact it helped forge five years ago to avert the threat of catastrophic climate change
The move, long threatened by US President Donald Trump and triggered by his administration a year ago, further isolates Washington in the world but has no immediate impact on international efforts to curb global warming, reports AP.
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Still, the UN agency that oversees the treaty, France as the host of the 2015 Paris talks and three countries currently chairing the body that organizes them — Chile, Britain and Italy — issued a joint statement expressing regret at the US withdrawal.
"We note with regret that the US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement has formally come into effect today", the UN body said in a joint statement issued alongside Chile, France, Italy and the United Kingdom.
Under the Paris Agreement, countries pledge to take action to keep temperature rise to below two degrees Celsius and limit global warming to 1.5 degrees.
"There is no greater responsibility than protecting our planet and people from the threat of climate change," the statement said.
"The science is clear that we must urgently scale up action and work together to reduce the impacts of global warming and to ensure a greener, more resilient future for us all. The Paris Agreement provides the right framework to achieve this."
"We remain committed to working with all US stakeholders and partners around the world to accelerate climate action, and with all signatories to ensure the full implementation of the Paris Agreement," they added.
The next planned round of UN climate talks takes place in Glasgow, Scotland, in 2021.
At present, 189 countries have ratified the accord, which aims to keep the increase in average temperatures worldwide "well below" 2 degrees Celsius (3.6 degrees Fahrenheit), ideally no more than 1.5C (2.7 F), compared to pre-industrial levels. A further six countries have signed, but not ratified the pact.
Scientists say that any rise beyond 2 degrees Celsius could have a devastating impact on large parts of the world, raising sea levels, stoking tropical storms and worsening droughts and floods.
Rules for withdrawal
The Paris Agreement allows for a party to leave the deal at any time after three years from the date on which it entered into force for that State.
Withdrawal would take effect one year after receipt of official notification.
The US, under the Obama administration, acceded to the Paris Agreement on 3 September 2016, with entry into force occurring two months later.
In August 2017, the Trump administration formally notified the UN Secretary-General of its intention to withdraw from the accord as soon as it was eligible.
