The United States is stepping away from key international climate agreements, a move that has sparked strong reactions across the world. President Donald Trump’s administration has announced plans to withdraw from several climate-related United Nations bodies, raising concerns about the future of global climate cooperation.
Earlier, the U.S. exited the Paris Agreement, the world’s most prominent climate pact. Now, the administration has gone further. In a memo sent to senior officials, Trump listed 31 UN entities and 35 non-UN organizations that the U.S. plans to disengage from.
Most notably, the U.S. is preparing to leave the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Many experts describe the UNFCCC as the foundation of global climate action. It also serves as the parent treaty of the Paris Agreement. In addition, the U.S. has withdrawn from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the UN’s leading scientific body on climate research. U.S. scientists had long played a central role in its assessments.
The White House argues that these institutions work against U.S. national interests. The administration says it wants to prioritize domestic oil, gas and mining development. However, legal experts have raised questions about the move. They note that the U.S. Senate unanimously approved the UNFCCC in 1992, meaning congressional consent may be required to exit.
International leaders responded sharply. UN climate chief Simon Stiell called the decision a “colossal own goal,” warning that it could weaken U.S. economic security as climate impacts worsen. Environmental groups and European officials also criticised the move.
Meanwhile, the Pacific Regional Environment Program (SPREP) urged the U.S. to follow a formal withdrawal process. Critics say the decision risks isolating the U.S. at a time when climate-driven disasters are intensifying worldwide.
