Leaders condemn Trump climate change decision
committed to it – and we will meet our targets.”
Mr Trump said he would seek to renegotiate terms “fair” to America, and claimed the Paris deal allows countries such as China and India to carry on polluting at the expense of the US economy and jobs.
His decision comes despite scientists warning of the catastrophic consequences of any failure to curb global warming.
President Trump previously dubbed climate change a “total, and very expensive, hoax”.
In 2012, he wrote on social media: “The concept of global warming was created by and for the Chinese, in order to make US manufacturing non-competitive.”
The White House refused to confirm whether this is still his position.
His move to quit the Paris Agreement, the world’s first comprehensive agreement on tackling climate change, provoked international outcry.
Mary Poppins actress Dame Julie Andrews said she was “deeply disturbed” by the news, adding: “I stand with the growing number of artists, scientists, educators and business leaders who recognise that no one place or person comes ‘first’.
“We’ve been given stewardship of this magnificent planet . . . shouldn’ t we all share the responsibility for its protection and preservation?”
Meanwhile, the leaders of France and India vowed to work together to fight global warming.
French President Emmanuel Macron said he would travel to India before the end of the year for a summit on promoting solar energy.
And Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India, said fighting on behalf of “Mother Planet” is a gift for future generations.
In the UK, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn accused Prime Minister Theresa May of “subservience” for failing to sign a statement from EU leaders which condemned the move.
The Paris deal – named after the city it was reached in – commits countries to halting global temperature rises.
The US is the second biggest polluter after China, but analysts said its withdrawal will not slow investment in renewable energy.