• In January 2025, Donald Trump, the President of the United States, signed an order to pull the US out of the Paris Climate Agreement for the second time.
  • He had made a similar move in 2017, and now, after coming back to office, he is repeating this action.
  • This will take about a year to fully complete.
  • The Paris Climate Agreement, signed in 2015, is an international agreement aimed at limiting global warming and reducing the effects of climate change.
  • Trump's reasons for leaving include his belief that the agreement unfairly takes money from the US and sends it to other countries.
PARIS AGREEMENT GOALS The main goal of the Paris Agreement is to:
  • Keep global warming well below 1.5°C compared to pre-industrial levels.
  • Try to limit the temperature rise to 1.2°C at most.
  • The US is the second-largest producer of carbon dioxide (CO2 ) in the world, and historically, it has been the largest polluter.
  • Trump's decision to leave the agreement is seen as harmful, as it means the US will not contribute to the global efforts to fight climate change.

IMPACT OF THE US WITHDRAWAL

  • Global Climate Efforts:
    • The US is responsible for around 20% of all global CO2 emissions.
    • Its decision to leave the agreement weakens global climate efforts, especially as 2024 was the hottest year ever recorded, with temperatures rising above 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels for the first time.
  • Setting a Bad Example:
    • Trump’s decision sends a bad signal to other countries, especially developing nations like India.
    • It could encourage other developed countries to also back out of their climate promises.
  • Climate Funding and Support:
    • The US decision could also hurt climate funding for developing countries like India.
    • Wealthier nations are supposed to help poorer nations with money to fight climate change, but the US has pledged less money than other countries, like Germany and the UK, which offer more support for climate projects.
    • Trump’s action could make it harder for countries like India to get the money they need to deal with the effects of climate change and to make their energy systems cleaner.

IMPACT ON INDIA

  • Moral Leadership:
    • India has been a leader in fighting climate change, setting goals to reduce its carbon emissions and use more clean energy.
    • Despite challenges, India is committed to climate action, and now it might need to step up more as the US pulls back.
  • Climate Finance and Support:
    • India, like many developing countries, needs financial support to deal with the impacts of climate change.
    • Trump’s move to withdraw from the agreement makes this harder, as it takes away a key source of funding.
    • India's energy transition and climate resilience projects will need more support, which might be harder to come by if the US is no longer involved in the Paris Agreement.
  • Green Technology Opportunities:
    • On the positive side, the clean energy market has grown a lot since 2017.
    • India can use this opportunity to invest more in renewable energy and green technologies like solar and wind power, and create jobs in these sectors.
  • Global Role:
    • India’s role in global climate talks is now more important than ever.
    • India can push for stronger commitments from other countries and take a leadership role in ensuring that global goals are still met, even without the US.
  • New Technologies and Jobs:
    • India can also focus on developing green technologies and making its industries cleaner.
    • By doing this, India can create new jobs and help reduce the country’s carbon emissions while also boosting its economy.
WHAT CAN INDIA DO? India should stay committed to its climate goals, even if the US pulls out. There are several things India can focus on:
  • Building better systems to protect itself from climate change, like stronger infrastructure.
  • Continuing to grow its clean energy sector, which includes solar and wind power.
  • Finding ways to make more money available for climate projects, like green finance.
  • India has a big chance to lead the world in climate action by pushing for international cooperation, investing in clean technologies, and supporting the growth of green industries.
CONCLUSION Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement is a setback for global efforts to fight climate change, especially since the US is a big polluter. However, it also gives India a chance to step up as a leader. India should continue pushing for stronger action on climate change and take advantage of opportunities to grow its economy with green technology and renewable energy. By doing so, India can help ensure a better future for itself and for the world.