Secretary-General Calls United States Decision to Withdraw from Paris Agreement on Climate Change ‘Major Disappointment’

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for UN Secretary-General António Guterres:

The decision by the United States to withdraw from the Paris Agreement on climate change is a major disappointment for global efforts to reduce greenhouse‑gas emissions and promote global security.

The Paris Agreement was adopted by all the world’s nations in 2015 because they recognize the immense harm that climate change is already causing and the enormous opportunity that climate action presents.  It offers a meaningful yet flexible framework for action by all countries.

The transformation envisaged in the Paris Agreement is already under way.  The Secretary-General remains confident that cities, states and businesses within the United States — along with other countries — will continue to demonstrate vision and leadership by working for the low-carbon, resilient economic growth that will create quality jobs and markets for twenty-first century prosperity.

It is crucial that the United States remains a leader on environmental issues.

The Secretary-General looks forward to engaging with the [United States] Government and all actors in the United States and around the world to build the sustainable future on which our grandchildren depend.