`US' decision may dilute global climate actions'

WHO:

Vijeta Rattani, Deputy Programme Manager, Climate Change Division, Centre for Science and Environment, Delhi

WHAT:

US President Donald Trump has lifted the ban on federal leasing for coal production and restrictions on the production of oil, natural gas and shale gas. This could dilute the 2015 Paris Agreement.

WHY:

Following Trump's executive order, there is a possibility that a few other countries may follow in the footsteps of the US, dilute their climate actions and opt out of the Paris Agreement. At this stage, it is difficult to name such countries. But industrialised nations and countries that are yet to face climate change impacts are likely to follow the US. However, it is highly unlikely that developing countries, including India, China or island countries, would follow the US because they suffer maximum climate impacts due to their vulnerability and limited capabilities.

In fact, now that the US has made it clear that climate change is not a priority for it, other countries would have to step up their climate actions to stop the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2"C above the pre-industrial levels.