Fury as Trump quits Paris climate pact
DEFIANT Donald Trump last night dragged America out of the Paris Agreement on climate change.
The president took the step – as pledged in his election campaign – despite repeated appeals for him to stick with the landmark 2015 accord, involving 187 other countries, to reduce CO2 emissions.
UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said that, as the largest economy, US support was crucial.
But in a statement at the White House last night, Trump declared: “We’re getting out.” He said it was “in order to fulfil my solemn duty to protect America and its citizens”.
He added: “The Paris accord would undermine our economy, hamstring our workers, weaken our sovereignty, impose unacceptable legal risk and put us at a permanent disadvantage to the other countries of the world.”
He hinted at negotiating a new deal but he faced a furious backlash last night.
Claire James, from the Campaign Against Climate Change, described the move as “catastrophic”.
Senator Bernie Sanders called it “an international disgrace”, while Friends of the Earth said Trump had put “us on a path beset with increased famine, poverty, disease and death for millions”.
New York governor Andrew Cuomo said the decision would have “devastating repercussions not only for the United States but for our planet”, and former secretary of state John Kerry claimed it would be “remembered as one of the most shameful any president has made”.
In Scotland, Climate Change Secretary Roseanna Cunningham added: “This is bitterly disappointing and deeply frustrating but we must not forget nations, states and cities around the world remain resolutely committed to the fight against climate change.”