Trump administration begins Paris climate pact exit

AFP

The United States has begun the formal process of withdrawing from the 2015 Paris climate agreement.

"President (Donald) Trump made the decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement because of the unfair economic burden imposed on American workers, businesses, and taxpayers," US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said. 

"The US is proud of our record as a world leader in reducing all emissions, fostering resilience, growing our economy, and ensuring energy for our citizens. Ours is a realistic and pragmatic model."

Once it exits, the US will become the only country outside the accord.

The European Union, however, expressed disappointment at the move. Krista Mikkonen, minister of environment for current European Council president Finland, said it would mean "the rest of us must further increase our cooperation". 

The notification sent to the UN of their intention to leave begins a one-year process that will be completed one day after the 2020 US presidential election.

More from International News

  • Syrian rebels topple Assad, his whereabouts unknown

    Syrian rebels declared President Bashar al-Assad ousted after seizing control of Damascus on Sunday, forcing him to flee and ending his family's decades of rule after more than 13 years of civil war in a seismic moment for the Middle East.

  • Israel shells north Gaza hospital

    Palestinian health officials said on Sunday that Israeli forces had shelled the Kamal Adwan Hospital in the northern Gaza town of Beit Lahiya, damaging electricity and oxygen pumps and disrupting urgent surgeries.

  • Trump says Russia abandoned Syria's president

    US President-elect Donald Trump said on Sunday that Russia's abandonment of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad led to his downfall, adding Moscow never should have protected him in the first place and then lost interest because of a war in Ukraine that never should have started.

  • Russia open to Ukraine peace talks, says Kremlin

    The Kremlin said on Sunday that Russia was open to talks on Ukraine after US President-elect Donald Trump called for "an immediate ceasefire and negotiations".

Blogs