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Politico
14-05-2025
- Politics
- Politico
Quitting Paris was just the start
The Trump administration has been dropping hints it may exit the world's oldest climate treaty — a move that would go way beyond his withdrawal from the 2015 Paris Agreement. While in line with the president's anti-climate action agenda, a retreat from the 1992 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change could ultimately curtail President Donald Trump's international influence, writes Sara Schonhardt. 'If we pull out, then we essentially yield the field to anti-fossil-fuel interests,' George David Banks, who led international climate policy in the first Trump White House, told Sara. During his first term, Trump declined to exit the UNFCCC, which the Democratic-led Senate had ratified during George H.W. Bush's presidency following the 'Earth Summit' in Rio de Janeiro. The treaty's nearly 200 nations meet annually to chart paths for phasing down planet-warming pollution. One of those gatherings produced the Paris accord, which Trump has exited twice. But the Trump administration has offered clues it may take a more aggressive approach this time. For starters, it failed to submit an annual inventory of the nation's greenhouse gases to the U.N. by April 15 — violating a key obligation of the treaty for the first time ever. Then, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced he would eliminate the Office of Global Change, which oversees the country's participation in the U.N.'s annual climate conferences. 'This president inherited 30 years of foreign policy that was built around what was good for the world,' Rubio told reporters at a Cabinet meeting last month. 'Under President Trump, we're making a foreign policy now that's, what is it good for: America.' And finally, the Environmental Protection Agency indicated it would shutter its greenhouse gas reporting program, which provides the necessary data to the emissions inventory. 'It's completely scorched earth,' said Daniel Reifsnyder, who ran the now-axed Office of Global Change when the climate treaty was ratified. 'Submitting an emissions inventory is the basic requirement. And if you don't do that, how can you say you're taking part in the global response?' If Trump does pull the country out of the framework, it could be difficult for a new president to undo. Joining a treaty requires a two-thirds Senate vote — a high hurdle even in less polarized times — though some legal scholars say a new administration could rely on the 1992 Senate vote. Trump has made it clear that his administration isn't interested in curbing the pollution driving catastrophic climate change. But experts warned that formally exiting the treaty, or effectively quitting it by failing to comply with its basic principles, comes with other risks. 'That means that the rest of the world is going to figure out the direction they want to go in, and we're not going to be part of that conversation, and we're not going to be shaping that conversation as the U.S. government,' said Kate Guy, who served as a senior adviser to climate envoy John Kerry under former President Joe Biden. It's Wednesday — thank you for tuning in to POLITICO's Power Switch. I'm your host, Arianna Skibell. Power Switch is brought to you by the journalists behind E&E News and POLITICO Energy. Send your tips, comments, questions to askibell@ Today in POLITICO Energy's podcast: Benjamin Storrow breaks down why one of the largest offshore wind energy projects in the country could be canceled. Power Centers Trump ditches 'forever chemicals' ruleThe Trump administration will roll back a landmark regulation on 'forever chemicals' in drinking water, two weeks after EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin promised to address contamination from the toxic, man-made substances, writes Miranda Willson. Even low levels of the chemicals known as PFAS are linked to cancer, immune system problems, developmental effects and other health ailments. EPA-mandated testing has found them in nearly half of Americans' drinking water, writes Annie Snider. Skirting independent nuclear oversight?A review of four draft executive orders from the White House shows that the Trump administration may be looking for ways to bypass the independent Nuclear Regulatory Commission and challenge its central claim over nuclear safety standards, writes Francisco 'A.J.' Camacho. 'This is the detailed, agency-specific effort to override the historic independent agency construct,' said Stephen Burns, former chair of the NRC during the Obama administration. Landmark climate law extension California Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed a 15-year extension of California's signature cap-and-trade system for greenhouse gases — a cornerstone of the state's climate policies and a reliable revenue generator, writes Camille von Kaenel. Newsom's long-awaited proposal would reauthorize the state's quarterly auction of emissions permits and change the way some of the proceeds are spent. It comes months after Newsom first indicated his plans to do so and just weeks after Trump attacked the state's program in an executive order. In Other News DOGE cuts: NOAA is scrambling to fill forecasting jobs as hurricane season looms. Report: How the world's most powerful corporations have fought accountability for climate change. Subscriber Zone A showcase of some of our best subscriber content. An Arizona Republican's swing district is experiencing a clean energy boom. He may have to buck Trump to protect it. The Interior Department is moving to rescind a Biden-era Bureau of Land Management rule finalized last year that aimed to boost clean energy development on federal lands. Trump's visit to Saudi Arabia — headlined by a splashy $600 billion investment announcement — highlighted the tech industry's increasingly large role on a global stage once dominated by oil and gas. That's it for today, folks! Thanks for reading.
The Sun
26-04-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Trump scraps US office on climate diplomacy
WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump's administration has abolished the office that runs US climate diplomacy, potentially meaning the world's largest economy will be a no-show at November's COP30 summit in Brazil. The State Department confirmed Friday that its Office of Global Change, which was in charge of representing the United States in UN climate diplomacy, was being closed. 'We will not participate in international agreements and initiatives that do not reflect our country's values,' a State Department spokesperson said. 'Consequently, this office -- which supported the efforts of previous administrations to hobble the United States through participation in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and other agreements purporting to limit or prevent climate change -- is unnecessary.' The move was not a surprise as Trump is a climate skeptic and moved to pull the United States for the second time out of the landmark Paris climate accord immediately on returning to office on January 20. The climate office was among notable absences when Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday laid out a reorganization of the State Department that is expected to include job cuts. But a complete US absence at the November summit in the Amazonian city of Belem would be a major shift in global climate diplomacy. The United States participated in climate talks under the skeptic George W. Bush -- often with a goal of watering down agreements -- and fossil fuel producers such as Saudi Arabia remain part of the process despite frequent disagreements. Even if the United States ultimately sends some representative to the climate talks, it will mark a sharp shift in the profile of the position in just four years. Former president Joe Biden elevated the climate envoy position to cabinet status and tapped for the role John Kerry, the former secretary of state, senator and presidential candidate. Kerry worked closely with China, the world's largest emitter, during the 2023 COP28 conference in Dubai to reach a first-ever call for the world to move away from fossil fuels responsible for much of the world's warming. The planet has already heated up at least 1.36 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial times, according to the EU's climate monitor Copernicus. Scientists warn that 1.5C warming is enough for major damage to the planet, including rising disasters and the disappearance of most of coral reefs.
Business Times
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Business Times
Trump scraps US office on climate diplomacy
[WASHINGTON] President Donald Trump's administration has abolished the office that runs US climate diplomacy, potentially meaning the world's largest economy will be a no-show at November's COP30 summit in Brazil. The State Department confirmed Friday (Apr 25) that its Office of Global Change, which was in charge of representing the United States in UN climate diplomacy, was being closed. 'We will not participate in international agreements and initiatives that do not reflect our country's values,' a State Department spokesperson said. 'Consequently, this office – which supported the efforts of previous administrations to hobble the United States through participation in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and other agreements purporting to limit or prevent climate change – is unnecessary.' The move was not a surprise as Trump is a climate skeptic and moved to pull the United States for the second time out of the landmark Paris climate accord immediately on returning to office on Jan 20. The climate office was among notable absences when Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday laid out a reorganization of the State Department that is expected to include job cuts. BT in your inbox Start and end each day with the latest news stories and analyses delivered straight to your inbox. Sign Up Sign Up But a complete US absence at the November summit in the Amazonian city of Belem would be a major shift in global climate diplomacy. The United States participated in climate talks under the skeptic George W Bush – often with a goal of watering down agreements – and fossil fuel producers such as Saudi Arabia remain part of the process despite frequent disagreements. Even if the United States ultimately sends some representative to the climate talks, it will mark a sharp shift in the profile of the position in just four years. Former president Joe Biden elevated the climate envoy position to cabinet status and tapped for the role John Kerry, the former secretary of state, senator and presidential candidate. Kerry worked closely with China, the world's largest emitter, during the 2023 COP28 conference in Dubai to reach a first-ever call for the world to move away from fossil fuels responsible for much of the world's warming. The planet has already heated up at least 1.36 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial times, according to the EU's climate monitor Copernicus. Scientists warn that 1.5 Celsius warming is enough for major damage to the planet, including rising disasters and the disappearance of most of coral reefs. AFP
NDTV
25-04-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Trump Scraps US Office On Climate Diplomacy
Washington: President Donald Trump's administration has abolished the office that runs US climate diplomacy, potentially meaning the world's largest economy will be a no-show at November's COP30 summit in Brazil. The State Department confirmed Friday that its Office of Global Change, which was in charge of representing the United States in UN climate diplomacy, was being closed. "We will not participate in international agreements and initiatives that do not reflect our country's values," a State Department spokesperson said. "Consequently, this office -- which supported the efforts of previous administrations to hobble the United States through participation in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and other agreements purporting to limit or prevent climate change -- is unnecessary." The move was not a surprise as Trump is a climate skeptic and moved to pull the United States for the second time out of the landmark Paris climate accord immediately on returning to office on January 20. The climate office was among notable absences when Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Tuesday laid out a reorganization of the State Department that is expected to include job cuts. But a complete US absence at the November summit in the Amazonian city of Belem would be a major shift in global climate diplomacy. The United States participated in climate talks under the skeptic George W. Bush -- often with a goal of watering down agreements -- and fossil fuel producers such as Saudi Arabia remain part of the process despite frequent disagreements. Even if the United States ultimately sends some representative to the climate talks, it will mark a sharp shift in the profile of the position in just four years. Former president Joe Biden elevated the climate envoy position to cabinet status and tapped for the role John Kerry, the former secretary of state, senator and presidential candidate. Kerry worked closely with China, the world's largest emitter, during the 2023 COP28 conference in Dubai to reach a first-ever call for the world to move away from fossil fuels responsible for much of the world's warming. The planet has already heated up at least 1.36 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial times, according to the EU's climate monitor Copernicus. Scientists warn that 1.5C warming is enough for major damage to the planet, including rising disasters and the disappearance of most of coral reefs.
Straits Times
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Trump scraps US office on climate diplomacy
US President Donald Trump is a climate sceptic and moved to pull the US for the second time out of the landmark Paris climate accord immediately on returning to office. PHOTO: REUTERS WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump's administration has abolished the office that runs US climate diplomacy, potentially meaning the world's largest economy will be a no-show at November's COP30 summit in Brazil. The State Department confirmed on April 25 that its Office of Global Change, which was in charge of representing the US in UN climate diplomacy, was being closed. 'We will not participate in international agreements and initiatives that do not reflect our country's values,' a State Department spokesperson said. 'Consequently, this office – which supported the efforts of previous administrations to hobble the United States through participation in the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and other agreements purporting to limit or prevent climate change – is unnecessary.' The move was not a surprise as Mr Trump is a climate sceptic and moved to pull the US for the second time out of the landmark Paris climate accord immediately on returning to office on Jan 20. The climate office was among notable absences when Secretary of State Marco Rubio on April 22 laid out a reorganisation of the State Department that is expected to include job cuts. But a complete US absence at the November summit in the Amazonian city of Belem would be a major shift in global climate diplomacy. The US participated in climate talks under sceptical president George W. Bush – often with a goal of watering down agreements – and fossil fuel producers such as Saudi Arabia remain part of the process despite frequent disagreements. Even if the US ultimately sends some representative to the climate talks, it will mark a sharp shift in the profile of the position in just four years. Former president Joe Biden elevated the climate envoy position to Cabinet status and tapped for the role Mr John Kerry, the former secretary of state, senator and presidential candidate. Mr Kerry worked closely with China, the world's largest emitter, during the 2023 COP28 conference in Dubai to reach a first-ever call for the world to move away from fossil fuels responsible for much of the world's warming. The planet has already heated up at least 1.36 deg C above pre-industrial times, according to the EU's climate monitor Copernicus. Scientists warn that 1.5 deg C warming is enough for major damage to the planet, including rising disasters and the disappearance of most of coral reefs. AFP Find out more about climate change and how it could affect you on the ST microsite here.
