The US exit from several climate bodies can mean both relief and challenges for India: Here’s why
The US' controversial withdrawal from climate agreements
The United States' decision to withdraw from the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and over 60 other international treaties and organizations is a controversial move that has sparked global concern. This move, which includes the withdrawal from the 2015 Paris Agreement and the scaling down of funding and staffing for climate research, raises serious questions about the effectiveness of the existing multilateral process to tackle climate change. The US' love-hate relationship with climate change has been a long-standing issue, with the country playing a significant role in the finalization of the UNFCCC but never becoming a member of the 1997 Kyoto Protocol.
The US' poor record on climate commitments
Despite leading efforts to establish the Paris Agreement, the US has a poor track record in fulfilling its responsibilities. It has done little in terms of emissions reductions, financial support, or technology transfer, all of which are mandatory obligations under the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement. However, the US has never denied the problem of climate change and has continued to invest heavily in scientific research and clean technology development.
The impact on India
For India, the US' decisions could result in lower pressure to decarbonize fast, but its plans to attract investments in clean technologies could also be affected. Before Trump's second presidency, India had a long-standing strategic partnership on climate and clean energy with the US, which supported various activities in diverse energy-related fields. The withdrawal from the International Solar Alliance, which India helped set up, could force India to revise its energy transition pathways.
The US' long-term interests and China's advantage
By disassociating completely from the climate regime, the US might be jeopardizing its own long-term interests, ceding leadership in this area to its main rival, China. Most countries are already committed to renewable energy pathways, and China has an undisputed lead in the manufacturing and supply chains of renewable energy equipment and infrastructure. The US' efforts to pump more oil into the energy market might slow down the pace of energy transition but are unlikely to turn back the clock.
The way forward
The impact of the US' decisions on global climate might only be marginal in the short term, but the fallout over the longer term will depend on the stance Trump's successors in the White House take. The world is sure to miss its 2030 emission reduction targets, and the US, even before Trump, wasn't on a pathway to make any meaningful contribution to fill the gap. It is crucial for the US to reconsider its position and actively participate in the global effort to combat climate change to protect its long-term interests and maintain its leadership in this critical area.
