US allies: No do over on Paris pact

In announcing that “we’re getting out” of the Paris climate agreement, US President Donald Trump said that the United States would begin negotiations either to re-enter the Paris accord or to have a new agreement “on terms that are fair to the United States, its businesses, its workers, its people, its taxpayers.”

“And if we can, that’s great. And if we can’t, that’s fine,” he said.

But French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni said the global pact cannot be revised.

“We deem the momentum generated in Paris in December 2015 irreversible and we firmly believe that the Paris Agreement cannot be renegotiated since it is a vital instrument for our planet, societies and economies,” the leaders of the three countries said in a joint statement shortly after Trump made his announcement.

They urged their allies to speed up efforts to combat climate change and said they would do more to help developing countries adapt.

“We will step up efforts to support developing countries, in particular the poorest and most vulnerable, in achieving their mitigation and adaptation goals,” they said.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres said in a statement on Thursday that the US’ decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement is “a major disappointment” for global efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote global security.

The Paris Agreement was adopted by almost all of the world’s nations in 2015 “because they recognize the immense harm that climate change is already causing and the enormous opportunity that climate action presents”, said Guterres in a statement issued by his spokesman.

“It offers a meaningful yet flexible framework for action by all countries,” he said.

Trump, citing economic concerns, said the US would begin negotiations either to re-enter the Paris accord or to have a new agreement “on terms that are fair to the United States, its businesses, its workers, its people, its taxpayers”, Reuters reported.

Guterres believes that it is crucial that the US remains a leader on environmental issues, according to the statement.

He remains confident that cities, states and businesses within the United States — along with other countries — will continue to demonstrate vision and leadership by working for the low-carbon, resilient economic growth that will create goodquality jobs and markets for 21st century prosperity.

And he looks forward to engaging with the US government and all actors in the US and around the world to build a sustainable future.

Major US corporations — including ExxonMobil, where Secretary of State Rex Tillerson had been CEO, Apple Inc, Google and General Electric — and leading business figures had appealed to Trump to stay in the accord.

GE CEO Jeff Immelt said he was disappointed with Trump’s move, adding, “Climate change is real. Industry must now lead and not depend on government.” Tesla Inc CEO Elon Musk said he will leave White House advisory councils after Trump’s move.

Republican US congressional leaders supported Trump. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell applauded him “for dealing yet another significant blow to the Obama administration’s assault on domestic energy production and jobs.”

We will step up efforts to support developing countries.” French President Emmanuel Macron, German Chancellor Angela Merkel and Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentilon