Donald Trump withdraws US from Paris climate deal: 5 things to know about the accord

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US President Donald Trump is expected to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement. PHOTO: REUTERS

US President Donald Trump on Thursday (June 1 ) announced the United States' withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement, a move which would isolate the US in global efforts to curb the warming of the planet.

Here are five things to know about the agreement.

1. What is the Paris climate agreement?

It was established during a 2015 United Nations-led talks in the French capital, and legally ratified last year (2016).

Every nation signed on except for war-torn Syria and Nicaragua which insists that the deal is not tough enough.

In joining the climate accord, the 195 signatories pledged to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, they were given ample leeway in how much they planned to cut them by.

2. Why is the US threatening to leave the agreement?

US President Donald Trump (centre) speaking before signing the Energy Independence Executive Order at the Environmental Protection Agency Headquarters in Washington, DC, on March 28, 2017. PHOTO: AFP

Mr Trump apparently believes that remaining in the accord would harm the US economy; impair the creation of jobs in areas such as Appalachia and the West, where his strongest supporters live; and undermine his "America first" message, the New York Times reported.

"We're going to cancel the Paris climate agreement and stop all payments of United States tax dollars to UN global warming programmes," Mr Trump promised during a major energy speech in late May 2016.

"This agreement gives foreign bureaucrats control over how much energy we use on our land, in our country. No way."

3. How have other nations responded to Mr Trump's expected withdrawal from accord?

(From left) Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, Germany's Chancellor Angela Merkel and US President Donald Trump pose for a family photo at the Greek Theatre during the G-7 Summit in Taormina, on May 26, 2017. PHOTO: AFP

World leaders have expressed dismay at the US President's climate stance, following the recent G-7 summit in Sicily.

After the meetings ended, the US refused to sign onto a statement of support for the Paris accord approved by all other G-7 participants.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel said that the climate conversations were unsatisfying.

Leaders of the other G-7 nations - France, Japan, Canada, Britain and Italy - urged Mr Trump to remain a part of the agreement.

Mr Trump's aides have said that while the President was listening to the other leaders' arguments with an open mind, he did not feel obliged to heed their calls to remain within the pact, CNN reported.

4. When will Trump announce his decision?

US President Donald Trump speaking in the Rose Garden of the White House in Washington, DC. on May 4, 2017. PHOTO: AFP

He will announce his decision at the White House Rose Garden at 3pm on Thursday (June 1), he tweeted late on Wednesday (May 31).

Over the past week, he has suggested that he intends to fulfill his campaign promises to withdraw from the agreement.

Yet he has in the past changed his mind on major issues, and was still speaking to opponents of withdrawal even as his team prepares an announcement, CNN reported.

The White House was supposed to make a final decision on the climate pact earlier in May, but postponed the decision until the G-7 meeting.

5. What will happen if the US leaves the agreement?

Emissions rise from the stacks of the Linden Generating Station in Linden, New Jersey, US, on March 22, 2017. PHOTO: EPA

The departure of the US, which is the largest economy and second-largest greenhouse gas emitter in the world, would not dissolve the pact.

However, it could trigger a cascade of events that would have profound effects on the planet. Other countries that were reluctant to join the pact could retract or soften their commitments to reducing planet-warming pollution, CNN reported.

Also, a US exit would be a major reversal of the Obama administration's efforts on climate change, and could trigger further efforts to undermine the landmark climate accord.

Furthermore, the decision to withdraw could undermine the US' international credibility and negotiating power.

SOURCES: NYTIMES, CNN

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