Opinion by Mathew Carr
Jan 8, 2025 — The US will miss out on billions of dollars of climate finance after President Donald Trump decided to try pull out of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (and a bunch of other treaties and organizations).
America will be even more isolated and the world will likely retaliate by heavily taxing and avoiding US tech firms, AI companies, its banks and manufacturers.
His plan will probably backfire, terribly, because the climate transition now has so much momentum.
“For decades, institutions such as the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and other multilateral bodies have delivered tangible benefits, building a shared scientific evidence base, supporting energy security and clean energy deployment, and enabling coordinated action to protect economic competitiveness and manage climate risks responsibly,” said E3G, a climate solution & negotiation think tank, by email.
The US is seeking to take for itself all the benefits of global commerce without accepting responsibility for climate and environmental damage and huge mental health problems caused by its unsocial media companies … not to mention its financing of violence and fear.
Surely, the world will now stand up to Mr Trump.
https://apple.news/An2DG9eqbSwKb9tCc6z-5Lw
This move starkly demonstrates that strongmen leaders need better guardrails because a secure climate is certainly in the interests of every American citizen …as well as everyone on earth. Mr Trump appears to have too much unchecked power.
The move could also be a Trumpian negotiation stance as the world seeks to rewrite climate and trade rules.
If the United States were to leave the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change)—not just the Paris Agreement struck in 2015 but the framework itself—the key implications would cause many nations to pivot back towards selfish extraction from climate and nature …instead of toward climate and nature protection.
Implications:
1. Already weak global climate governance weakened
The US is historically the largest cumulative emitter and a major diplomatic player. About 4% of the world’s population in the US are responsible for about 25% of cumulative GHG emissions in the atmosphere.
Withdrawal would further undermine the legitimacy and authority of the UN climate system, which has been undermined since it was conceived around 1990. Other countries might delay or weaken commitments, citing reduced US participation.
2. Loss of US influence over climate rules
The US would lose its seat at the table in shaping:
*Emissions accounting rules
*Carbon markets (Article 6–style mechanisms)
*Transparency and reporting standards
Rules would still be evolved, written—without US input, potentially disadvantaging US interests.
Arguably the US already caused global climate rules to be really weak. The world may never trust America again.
3. Climate finance impacts
The US is already on many countries’ climate naughty list ….having halted or sharply reduced contributions to:
Green funds
Adaptation funds
Loss and damage mechanisms
The move would further strain climate finance for developing countries and deepen North–South tensions and distrust.
4. Diplomatic and geopolitical consequences
Allies (EU, UK, small island states) will see withdrawal as a retreat from multilateralism and will formulate retaliatory measures.
Could reduce US credibility in:
*Trade negotiations
*Security partnerships
*Global leadership narratives
*Opens even more space for China and the EU to claim climate leadership and win huge inward investment.
5. Domestic legal and policy effects (US-specific)
UNFCCC underpins much US climate diplomacy and reporting.
Leaving would:
*Remove international reporting obligations, cause many global companies to prefer non-US suppliers
*Make future re-entry politically and legally harder
However, US states, cities, and corporations could still pursue climate action, independently.
6. Market and investment signals
Would signal policy instability, discouraging long-term clean-energy investment.
Could increase financing costs for US-based low-carbon projects.
International firms may shift green investment toward jurisdictions with clearer climate commitments.
7. Environmental consequences
Global emissions reductions would likely slow even further, especially in the short term.
Global GHG output is already near record highs.
Climate impacts (extreme weather, food insecurity, migration pressures) would intensify—including for the US.
Bottom line — American isolation
Leaving the UNFCCC would be far more consequential than leaving the Paris Agreement alone: it would isolate the US from the entire global climate architecture, weaken collective action, and reduce US strategic influence—while climate risks continue to grow regardless.
Statement (more to come)
Withdrawing the United States from International Organizations, Conventions, and Treaties that Are Contrary to the Interests of the United States
January 7, 2026
MEMORANDUM FOR THE HEADS OF EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby direct:
Section 1. Purpose. (a) On February 4, 2025, I issued Executive Order 14199 (Withdrawing the United States from and Ending Funding to Certain United Nations Organizations and Reviewing United States Support to All International Organizations). That Executive Order directed the Secretary of State, in consultation with the United States Representative to the United Nations, to conduct a review of all international intergovernmental organizations of which the United States is a member and provides any type of funding or other support, and all conventions and treaties to which the United States is a party, to determine which organizations, conventions, and treaties are contrary to the interests of the United States. The Secretary of State has reported his findings as required by Executive Order 14199.
(b) I have considered the Secretary of State’s report and, after deliberating with my Cabinet, have determined that it is contrary to the interests of the United States to remain a member of, participate in, or otherwise provide support to the organizations listed in section 2 of this memorandum.
(c) Consistent with Executive Order 14199 and pursuant to the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, I hereby direct all executive departments and agencies (agencies) to take immediate steps to effectuate the withdrawal of the United States from the organizations listed in section 2 of this memorandum as soon as possible. For United Nations entities, withdrawal means ceasing participation in or funding to those entities to the extent permitted by law.
(d) My review of further findings of the Secretary of State remains ongoing.
Sec. 2. Organizations from Which the United States Shall Withdraw. (a) Non-United Nations Organizations:
(i) 24/7 Carbon-Free Energy Compact;
(ii) Colombo Plan Council;
(iii) Commission for Environmental Cooperation;
(iv) Education Cannot Wait;
(v) European Centre of Excellence for Countering
Hybrid Threats;
(vi) Forum of European National Highway Research Laboratories;
(vii) Freedom Online Coalition;
(viii) Global Community Engagement and Resilience Fund;
(ix) Global Counterterrorism Forum;
(x) Global Forum on Cyber Expertise;
(xi) Global Forum on Migration and Development;
(xii) Inter-American Institute for Global Change Research;
(xiii) Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals, and Sustainable Development;
(xiv) Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change;
(xv) Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services;
(xvi) International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property;
(xvii) International Cotton Advisory Committee;
(xviii) International Development Law Organization;
(xix) International Energy Forum;
(xx) International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies;
(xxi) International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance;
(xxii) International Institute for Justice and the Rule of Law;
(xxiii) International Lead and Zinc Study Group;
(xxiv) International Renewable Energy Agency;
(xxv) International Solar Alliance;
(xxvi) International Tropical Timber Organization;
(xxvii) International Union for Conservation of Nature;
(xxviii) Pan American Institute of Geography and History;
(xxix) Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation;
(xxx) Regional Cooperation Agreement on Combatting Piracy and Armed Robbery against Ships in Asia;
(xxxi) Regional Cooperation Council;
(xxxii) Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century;
(xxxiii) Science and Technology Center in Ukraine;
(xxxiv) Secretariat of the Pacific Regional Environment Programme; and
(xxxv) Venice Commission of the Council of Europe.
(b) United Nations (UN) Organizations:
(i) Department of Economic and Social Affairs;
(ii) UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) — Economic Commission for Africa;
(iii) ECOSOC — Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean;
(iv) ECOSOC — Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific;
(v) ECOSOC — Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia;
(vi) International Law Commission;
(vii) International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals;
(viii) International Trade Centre;
(ix) Office of the Special Adviser on Africa;
(x) Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary General for Children in Armed Conflict;
(xi) Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Sexual Violence in Conflict;
(xii) Office of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General on Violence Against Children;
(xiii) Peacebuilding Commission;
(xiv) Peacebuilding Fund;
(xv) Permanent Forum on People of African Descent;
(xvi) UN Alliance of Civilizations;
(xvii) UN Collaborative Programme on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation in Developing Countries;
(xviii) UN Conference on Trade and Development;
(xix) UN Democracy Fund;
(xx) UN Energy;
(xxi) UN Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women;
(xxii) UN Framework Convention on Climate Change;
(xxiii) UN Human Settlements Programme;
(xxiv) UN Institute for Training and Research;
(xxv) UN Oceans;
(xxvi) UN Population Fund;
(xxvii) UN Register of Conventional Arms;
(xxviii) UN System Chief Executives Board for Coordination;
(xxix) UN System Staff College;
(xxx) UN Water; and
(xxxi) UN University.
Sec. 3. Implementation Guidance. The Secretary of State shall provide additional guidance as needed to agencies when implementing this memorandum.
Sec. 4. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this memorandum shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect:
(i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or
(ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals.
(b) This memorandum shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations.
(c) This memorandum is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person.
(d) The Secretary of State is authorized and directed to publish this memorandum in the Federal Register.
DONALD J. TRUMP
(I got help from Google, ChatGPT here)
NOTES
[…] Selfish, isolated Trump pulls USA out of UN bodies including UNFCCC (5) China appears to be starving UNFCCC of cash in response to USA’s arrears: climate fuckery escalates (1) […]