Despite patchy record, US climate exit will still pinch, Pg17

Key Highlights:

• The US is withdrawing from the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and over 60 other international treaties.
• This includes climate-related entities like the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), International Solar Alliance (ISA), and International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
• The US had already withdrawn from the 2015 Paris Agreement last year, effective January 20.
• The current administration has also reduced funding and staffing for national climate research agencies.
• The US joined the ISA in 2021 and does not provide financial support.
• The ISA decided in 2025 to charge annual membership fees of USD 50,000 from developed nations and USD 25,000 from developing countries.

Detailed Insights:

• The US played a key role in finalizing the UNFCCC but never joined the 1997 Kyoto Protocol.
• The US record in fulfilling responsibilities under the Paris Agreement has been poor, with little progress in emissions reductions, finance, or technology transfer.
• Despite not fulfilling its obligations, the US remained engaged in climate discourse, investing in scientific research and clean technology development.
• Budget cuts on climate research by the US can have long-term implications globally due to the resources and networks of American agencies.
• The US disengagement could jeopardize its long-term interests, potentially ceding leadership in renewable energy to China.
• For India, the US decisions may lower pressure to decarbonize but could affect clean technology investments.
• The US withdrawal from the ISA is not expected to have a significant financial impact as it did not provide financial support.

Key Concepts Involved:

• UNFCCC: An international environmental treaty to combat "dangerous human interference with the climate system".
• Kyoto Protocol: An international treaty that committed state parties to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• Paris Agreement: An international agreement whose goal is to limit global warming to well below 2, preferably to 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels.
• International Solar Alliance (ISA): An alliance of 121 countries initiated by India, most of them being sunshine countries, which lie completely or partially between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn.