The White House has started the process of withdrawing the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement, submitting paperwork in the first formal step of a one-year process to exit the global pact to fight climate change.
The European Union has said that it regrets the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement of 2015.
“We regret the US notification to withdraw from the Paris Agreement… Even without one of the major emitters of CO2, the world will continue to use the Paris Agreement to take action to reduce the emissions that are having a negative impact on the planet.”
When the USA signed up to the agreement they promised a 26-28% cut in greenhouse gas emissions by 2025. The withdrawal of the USA is a blow. However the EU will carry on working towards a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions. And there are still another 194 signatories, to work with.
Why is this happening? While President Donald Trump has expressed scepticism about man-made climate change, the move is also part of a broader strategy to reduce the burden of red tape on American industry.
However, it comes at a time scientists are urging rapid action to avoid the worst impacts of global warming. In addition there are signs that many developed nations are not moving as rapidly as they might to the fulfillment of their obligations under the Agreement.
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