The United Nations has officially confirmed the United States' withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement. This decision is a setback for global climate efforts. U.S. has a history of weak climate commitments. US withdrew from the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris Agreement under Republican rule. Trump's exit weakened global climate efforts. Biden rejoined but took limited action. The U.S. remains the top crude oil producer. Market-based climate solutions have failed. Climate denialism still influences U.S. policies. Developing nations must push for fair climate policies and multilateral cooperation. They should not bear the burden of U.S. inaction. Global climate action needs strong political will and accountability.

Background Analysis of Global Climate Agreements: UNFCCC, Kyoto Protocol, and Paris Agreement

BACKGROUND The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) (1992) is a global treaty aimed at stabilizing greenhouse gas concentrations and combating climate change. Objective: Prevent dangerous human interference with the climate system by limiting emissions. Adopted: Signed at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), also known as the Rio Earth Summit. Key Principle: Common but Differentiated Responsibilities—developed nations must take the lead in climate action, acknowledging their greater historical emissions. Governing Body: Conference of the Parties (COP)—an annual meeting where countries review and advance climate policies. Key Agreements: Led to the Kyoto Protocol (1997) and Paris Agreement (2015), setting the framework for global climate action. KYOTO PROTOCOL The Kyoto Protocol was adopted on 11 December 1997 and came into force on 16 February 2005. It aimed to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from developed countries. The treaty followed the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities. (Note: Common but Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR) recognizes that all countries must address climate change, but developed nations bear a greater responsibility due to their historical emissions. This principle, established in the 1992 Earth Summit (UNFCCC), acknowledges economic disparities and follows the polluter-pays approach.) So, Kyoto Protocol set binding targets for 37 industrialized nations and the EU, aiming for a 5% reduction from 1990 levels (2008-2012). The Doha Amendment (2012) extended commitments until 2020, with an 18% reduction target. The protocol introduced market-based mechanisms like International Emissions Trading, Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) and Joint Implementation (JI). These mechanisms allowed countries to trade emission credits. Clean Development Mechanism (CDM): Allowed developed countries to fund emission reduction projects in developing nations and earn tradable carbon credits. Joint Implementation (JI): Enabled developed countries to invest in emission reduction projects in other developed nations for carbon credits. International Emissions Trading (IET): Permitted countries with excess emission allowances to trade them with those exceeding their targets. In Kyoto Protocol, developing nations, including India and China, did not have binding targets. However, they could earn carbon credits by reducing emissions. India ratified the Doha Amendment and advocated for climate justice. The Paris Agreement (2015) later replaced the Kyoto Protocol, requiring commitments from all nations. READ ALL ABOUT PARIS AGREEMENT BY DOWNLOADING THIS PDF: https://www.iasgyan.in/study-notes/all-about-paris-agreement

Role of US in Global Climate Action

Donald Trump's decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement is a major setback for global climate efforts. US is the world’s largest economy and it is one of the top carbon emitters. So, U.S. plays a major role in tackling climate change. However USA's inconsistent climate policies have undermined international agreements and this pattern continued during Trump's administration.

Historical Patterns of U.S. Climate Policy

The U.S. has a long history of weak commitments to climate action. Despite being a key player in the 1992 UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the U.S. failed to ratify the Kyoto Protocol, which set binding targets for emissions reduction. While emissions have decreased in recent years, the pace of this reduction has been too slow compared to global climate needs. The U.S. also moved from legally binding commitments in Kyoto to voluntary contributions in the Paris Agreement, reflecting the domestic political challenges that prevent the U.S. from committing to more ambitious climate action.

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COPS: https://www.iasgyan.in/blogs/a-brief-history-of-the-united-nations-climate-change-conferences-cops-1-28

The Biden Administration’s Efforts: Insufficient Climate Action

Under President Biden, there have been some efforts to address climate change, but they are limited. For example, the U.S. became the world’s largest producer of crude oil under his leadership. Biden set a target to reduce emissions by 60% by 2035, but this goal is below global climate targets. At COP29, the U.S. resisted climate finance targets, showing ongoing reluctance to take stronger action.

A Recurring Pattern of US: Commitment and Withdrawal

Trump's withdrawal from the Paris Agreement is part of a pattern. Under Democratic presidencies, the U.S. makes weak climate commitments. Under Republican administrations, it often withdraws from these commitments. This puts an unfair burden on other countries, especially developing nations, to do more for climate action without enough support. As the U.S. pulls back, the global South faces greater challenges in meeting their climate goals.

READ ALL ABOUT GLOBAL SOUTH: https://www.iasgyan.in/daily-current-affairs/global-south-19

Strategic Advice for Developing Countries

Developing a Strategic Response

In light of the U.S. withdrawal, developing countries must develop a strategic approach that does not rely on compensating for the gap left by the U.S. The global South should continue to advocate for fair climate policies that include technology transfer, financial support and capacity-building. It is crucial for these countries to remain focused on their own development needs and avoid being burdened by unfair climate expectations.

 The Importance of Multilateralism

Despite the U.S. withdrawal, developing countries should continue to engage in multilateral climate negotiations. Climate change is a global problem that requires collective action. Abandoning multilateralism would not solve the issue and would undermine the global response to the climate crisis. Countries like India must continue to push for fair and equitable climate policies that consider their development needs and the historical responsibility of developed nations.

Way Ahead: Political Will and Global Cooperation

For global climate action to succeed, it requires political will from all nations, including the U.S. The future of climate action depends on international cooperation and other countries must hold the U.S. accountable for its commitments. The global fight against climate change requires collective action and the international community must work together to ensure a just and equitable future for all. 

MAINS PRACTICE QUESTION Q.Critically examine the historical patterns of U.S. climate policy and their impact on global climate action. How can developing nations ensure fair climate policies despite U.S. inaction? (250 words)

FAQS

Why has the U.S. failed to make consistent climate commitments?

The U.S. has a history of inconsistent climate policies, withdrawing from the Kyoto Protocol and Paris Agreement under Republican leadership. This weakens global climate efforts, despite being a major emitter and economic power.

 What is the role of the U.S. in global climate action?

The U.S. plays a significant role as the world’s largest emitter and top crude oil producer. However, its political volatility undermines global efforts, making it difficult for other countries to meet their climate goals.

How does the U.S. withdrawal from climate agreements affect developing nations?

The U.S. withdrawal puts undue pressure on developing countries, especially in the Global South, forcing them to bear more responsibility for climate action without sufficient support or fair compensation.

What are the key elements of the Kyoto Protocol?

The Kyoto Protocol set binding targets for emissions reductions from developed nations, following the common but differentiated responsibilities principle. It introduced market-based mechanisms like Emissions Trading and the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM).

How has the Biden administration addressed climate change?

While Biden rejoined the Paris Agreement, his climate action has been limited. The U.S. became the largest oil producer under his leadership and his emission reduction targets fall short of global climate needs.

What should developing countries do in response to U.S. climate inaction?

Developing countries should continue pushing for fair climate policies through multilateral negotiations, focusing on technology transfer, financial support and capacity-building without bearing the burden of U.S. inaction.

What is required for effective global climate action?

Political will from all nations, including the U.S., is essential. The global fight against climate change needs cooperation and countries must hold the U.S. accountable to ensure equitable and just climate solutions.