‘A colossal own goal’: Trump’s exit from global climate treaties will have little effect outside US

The Guardian - World NewsCenter-LeftEN 5 min read 100% complete by Fiona Harvey and Oliver MilmanJanuary 9, 2026 at 07:00 AM

Read Original Article

AI Summary

long article 5 min

Donald Trump's decision to withdraw the U.S. from the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is unlikely to significantly impact global climate action. While the U.S. will no longer participate in annual COP meetings or have veto power over IPCC reports, the global shift towards low-carbon energy continues to grow, outpacing fossil fuel investments. The UN climate chief suggests the decision will negatively impact U.S. citizens and businesses, leading to less affordable energy and increased vulnerability to climate-related disasters. This action mirrors past U.S. resistance to international climate agreements, such as the Kyoto Protocol, and the previous withdrawal from the Paris Agreement.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

George W Bush 30% Venezuela 40% Kyoto Protocol 40% Simon Stiell 50% Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) ×260% Paris Agreement ×260% UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) ×370% United States ×780% Donald Trump ×490%

Keywords

climate change 100% global climate treaties 80% us withdrawal 70% greenhouse gas emissions 60% low-carbon energy 60% fossil fuels 50% paris agreement 50% extreme weather 50% ipcc 40% unfccc 40%