CSS 2019 Solved Current Affairs Past Papers | Doland Trump Withdrawal from Paris Agreement
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Question Breakdown
This question has two parts.
- Reasons for Trump’s withdrawal from the Climate Change Paris Agreement 2015
- Impacts of Trump’s withdrawal from the Climate Change Paris Agreement 2015
Outline
1-Introduction
2-What is climate change’s Paris Agreement 2015?
3-Reasons for Trump’s withdrawal from climate change Paris Agreement 2015
- ✓Partisan policies under Trump
- ✓Trump’s denial of anthropogenic causes of climate change
- ✓America First policy of Trump
- ✓Antagonism between Trump and Obama policies due to rivalry
4-Impacts of Trump’s withdrawal from climate change Paris Agreement 2015
- ✓Challenge to the universality of the agreement
- ✓Leadership crises
- ✓Effects of global cooperation in climate action
- ✓Reduction of aid to developing countries increasing climate vulnerability to climate change
- ✓Effects on funding for climate research
5-Conclusion
Answer to the Question
Introduction
In 2015, through the Paris Agreement, world leaders committed to keeping global temperatures from rising more than 1.5 degrees Celsius. For the first time, almost all countries in the world agreed to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases that cause global warming. The Paris Agreement was adopted by 194 countries in the French capital, Paris, on 12 December 2015 and came into force on 4 November 2016. The U.S. withdrawal from the historic 2015 Paris Climate Agreement was the ending of the Obama Administration on climate change mitigation policies by President Donald Trump. The American position contrasts strongly with the position of most of the rest of the world. Rachel Klitas, policy director of the Union of Concerned Scientists’ climate and energy program, said, “Other developed countries have created detailed policies adapted to their national circumstances, made highly ambitious pledges, and implemented policies in various ways”. Likewise, Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga pledged to reduce the country’s carbon dioxide emissions to zero by 2050. Moreover, Cletus says that China and the European Union have made similar pledges; the United States is now isolated globally. Delays in starting this process will make everything much more difficult. There is a risk that other countries will be encouraged to roll back their climate action amid the Trump administration’s lead. This solution faces bigger challenges both within and outside the United States, including from the UK, which is set to co-host COP-26, the UN summit on climate change, in November 2021.
What Is The Paris Agreement 2015?
Paris Agreement is making efforts to limit the rise of global temperature to 1.5 degrees and well below 2.0 degrees above pre-industrial records. Limiting greenhouse gas emissions from human activities between 2050 and 2100 to levels that can be naturally absorbed by trees, soil, and ocean is the sole aim of the agreement. It is agreed that each country will set its own emission reduction target, which will be reviewed every five years to increase its ambitions. Apparently, richer countries will help poorer countries by providing funds to adapt to climate change and switch to renewable energy.
Reasons of Trump’s Withdrawal from Climate Change Paris Agreement 2015
There are various reasons behind Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement 2015. Some of the most significant ones are as follows.
- Partisan Policies Under Trump
Under Trump’s presidency, the US withdrew from the Paris Agreement 2015. The contemporary political and social polarisation has led Trump to make this decision, as he is more inclined towards partisanship rather than bipartisanship. Hoping that this withdrawal would support him in the next election, he announced the withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, neglecting the fact that his decision would face criticism from his constituency and would prompt other states to follow suit.
- Trump’s Denial of the Anthropogenic Cause of Climate Change
Trump’s perpetual denial of the phenomenon of climate change and repeatedly denying the anthropogenic cause of global warming pushed him towards the withdrawal from the agreement. Trump perceives the unfairness to the US compared to the mitigation obligations of China and India, as this agreement does not do justice by denying the community differentiated responsibility principle. However, trump’s views on global warming are bound to be undermined or changed.
- America’s First Policy of Trump
Trump’s America First policy further justifies his decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement in 2015. He perceives that this agreement would challenge the US’s competition and would likely paralyze both employment and credential energy. Trump, being a climate sceptic, prioritizes the economic benefits over the cost of ecological mitigation, aligning with his America First and isolationist policy. Thus, keeping in view this, entire Trump withdrew from the Paris Agreement.
- Antagonism between Trump and Obama Policies Due to Rivalry
Political rivalry between two leaders and politicians (Trump and Obama) is another reason behind Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement. Trump and Obama, being rivals, publicly attacked each other through their hate speech and by criticising each other’s policies. Historian Timothy Naphtali argued that Trump, being known for his strong personality, wanted to reverse most of the Obama policy, and the Paris Agreement is one of Obama’s strongest political legacies. Thus, he withdrew from the Paris Agreement.
Effects of Trump’s Withdrawal From the Paris Agreement
Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement 2015 had various lasting impacts. Some of them are as follows.
- Challenge to the Universality of the Paris Agreement
Contrary to the Kyoto Protocol, the Paris Agreement is the only agreement signed by almost all the developed and developing countries. Nevertheless, Trump’s decision to withdraw from the agreement unquestionably challenges its universality. The universality of the Paris Agreement assures legitimacy and enhances the effectiveness of climate governance. However, the US withdrawal dented its efficacy.
- Leadership Crises
The Paris Agreement was proposed by the leadership of powerful countries, the US and China. Trump’s decision to withdraw from the agreement seems like an abduction of responsibility, which will create space for leadership crises in global climate governance. Implementing the Paris Agreement in the absence of US leadership would question its credibility, as this agreement strongly depends on strong leadership.
- Effects on Global Cooperation in Climate Action
The US withdrawal from the agreement would negatively impact global cooperation and climate governance. Allowing the US a free hand to violate the mitigation efforts would allow other members to do the same if they fail to achieve their National Determined Contributions (NDCs). Unsurprisingly, the US climate policies will enable them to replenish the decision or follow the same path. If other countries do the same and delay the mitigation, it would be an unachievable dream for global warming to 20 degrees Celsius.
- Reduction of Aid to Developing Countries Increasing Climate Vulnerability to Climate Change
The Paris Agreement 2015 relies on the common but differentiated responsibility. The US withdrawal from the agreement will stop aid and weaken the ability of developing countries to reach their mitigation goals. Financial aid is one of the essential features for implementing the agreement. Nevertheless, the US, Japan, France, the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden, and Norway are the major donors of climate financing. As one of the major donors, the USA contributes 21% of the total share to the global environment facility. The USA contributed 9.6 billion dollars between 2011 and 2012. The previous government pledged $3 Billion to the Green Climate Fund, but the Trump administration has decided to halt its fund, which will reduce 64% of American shares. According to the UNFCC, the Green Climate Fund is vital in mitigating global climate change. Trump’s decision may increase the climate vulnerability of developing countries.
- Effects on Funding for Climate Research
Amid Trump’s decision for the US to withdraw from the Paris Agreement 2015, the developing world would have to pay the opportunity cost of mitigation. According to a study, it would be critical to achieve the goal in 10 years due to the advancement of technology. Nevertheless, in the wake of negative emissions technology, the climate targets would reduce fossil fuel consumption to technology. The suture of IPCC reports would be compromised amid the reduction of US funds in climate research. The US has been a prominent partner in climate change research since 2015. It has 58% of the most cited climate papers, and 23 % of 12000 papers have been published in the US, according to MS SWENCY 2015. US scientists contributed 54.95% of climate change articles published between 2010 and 2016. The federal agency would be at risk if Trump would step back from the proposed budget. However, climate negotiations and climate cooperation will be erupted.
Conclusion
Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement would have far-reaching effects on Global efforts to combat climate change. This decision reflects Trump’s scepticism towards climate change and reversing the policies of the former rival governments. This move challenged global leadership in climate change and raised questions about the universal nature of the agreement. It also created a leadership crisis and had global implications for climate change efforts. Additionally, it led to reduced aid for climate change, resulting in climate vulnerability in developing countries and a decrease in funding for climate research, which would immensely effectively affect climate research, as the United States was one of the major donors to such research.
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