The Paris Agreement is the first legally binding global climate change agreement, agreed at the COP21 conference in Paris in 2015. Since 2015, almost all countries in the world have made commitments under the Paris Agreement. Along with 195 other nations, former President Barack Obama entered the United States into the agreement through his executive authority in September 2016. Once at least 55 nations representing 55% of global emissions formally joined the agreement on October 5, 2016, the accord went into force a month later. When the US joined the agreement in 2016, it pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 26-28% by 2025 compared to 2005 levels through the Clean Power Plan and tightening fuel economy standards for cars.
The Paris Agreement is the first legally binding global climate change agreement, agreed at the COP21 conference in Paris in 2015. Since 2015, almost all countries in the world have made commitments under the Paris Agreement. Along with 195 other nations, former President Barack Obama entered the United States into the agreement through his executive authority in September 2016. Once at least 55 nations representing 55% of global emissions formally joined the agreement on October 5, 2016, the accord went into force a month later. When the US joined the agreement in 2016, it pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 26-28% by 2025 compared to 2005 levels through the Clean Power Plan and tightening fuel economy standards for cars.
The Paris Agreement is vital, despite these threats, however, some leaders believe that the Paris agreement is too costly in terms of the economic outlay needed to meet emissions reduction targets. Despite concerns that climate change is already having a detrimental effect on public health and that clean energy is economically beneficial, former President Donald J. Trump has withdrawn the United States from this international treaty. Without global cooperation on climate change, an issue that hurts all nations, the future success of the agreement is at significant risk.
America's role in maintaining climate protection is unquestionable. People often mistakenly believe that the cause of the issues is climate change itself only, but this is not correct. The real concerns are caused by the combined effect of human expansion on earth and the changing conditions of weather. Namely, as the earth's population grows, as a result of initiatives to meet human needs, through the continuous construction of housing, factories and other numerous investments that lead to the destruction and pollution of the immediate environment that is an essential part of our lives.
2024 was the warmest year on record as the Copernicus and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has also confirmed, based on six international datasets. The past ten years have all been in the Top Ten, in an extraordinary streak of record-breaking temperatures. It is important to highlight that the US isn’t the only climate laggard. Scientists say that most countries are not getting off fossil fuels fast enough to stop dramatic warming of the planet. Since 2024 was the hottest year on record that was the first calendar year to exceed the Paris Agreement threshold of 1.5 degrees Celsius. COPs, by their international nature, serve as a platform for negotiation and consultation that can bring together the whole international community around a common goal.
The host of the COP29 climate conference was Azerbaijan, who is the largest country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia and its position is essential in region. Azerbaijan aspires to be a key player in the global energy transition and this international event helps Baku to represent itself front of the world. At the global level, Azerbaijan is raising its profile by participating in the US-Azerbaijan Green Energy Forum and by exploring a Black Sea submarine cable project with Georgia, Romania and Hungary, which could be a means of exporting clean electricity to Europe. COP29 offers a number of opportunities to improve US-Azerbaijan energy cooperation as well, including by aligning US clean energy technology goals with Azerbaijan's renewable energy revolution.
In what follows, the article examines the consequences of the United States' permanent withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement. There are several reasons why a US leave from cooperation would hamper the achievement of common goals. A US exit would reduce the commitment to global emissions targets, as the country is a major carbon emitter. Furthermore, the US example could encourage other countries to reduce their commitment to climate targets, which could lead to a weakening of global efforts.
One of the main drawbacks would be the uncertain implementation of the financing. The US is an important player in financing the fight against climate change, including support for developing countries. Its abandonment would lead to a reduction in these resources. At the same time, US companies and research institutions play a key role in the development of green technologies. The lack of international cooperation can hinder technological innovation, making it difficult to keep moving forward. Withdrawal would also undermine the spirit of the whole international climate deal, which could lead to a long-term loss of confidence in the negotiations at the global level. The US departure could demoralize climate activists, reducing the social pressure on governments to push for action on climate change. Taken together, these impacts could hamper the fight against global climate change, with long-term consequences for the planet and people's lives.
All in all, it can be said that all actors in the international community are needed to achieve the common climate protection goal, so that the goals set are on a firm footing. By motivating each other and facing up to the challenges, we can preserve and create a future based on renewable energy.
