• Pitambar Sigdel

January 20, 2025. US President Donald Trump issued several executive orders shortly after taking office for his second term. One of them was to withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement. The news that the implementation process would begin immediately after his order was reported by the US media has increased global concern about climate action.

This is the second time that the US has withdrawn from the agreement under Trump. He has repeatedly reiterated that the US should withdraw from the Paris Agreement before. His latest decision has set back international efforts to combat climate change. And has created additional complications for vulnerable countries like Nepal to deal with its consequences.

Paris Agreement: The Lifeline of Global Climate Action

The Paris Agreement on climate change, adopted in Paris, France in 2015, is a historic international treaty that aims to limit global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius. The goal is an ambitious goal of 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. That is, a global commitment not to allow the Earth's temperature to rise above 1.5 degrees Celsius.

The Paris Agreement emphasizes global cooperation. The agreement requires signatory countries to submit Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) outlining their climate action plans.

Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are the backbone of the Paris Agreement. They represent the climate action plans of each participating country. In other words, these plans commit each country to reduce carbon emissions. They include specific measures and programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change, in line with the main goals of the agreement.

Developed countries also pledged to mobilize $100 billion annually to support developing and least developed countries in mitigating and adapting to climate impacts. This is also the agreement on the basis of the NDCs that the least developed countries will receive.

The NDCs are revised every five years to reflect increasing ambition and progress. They provide flexibility for countries to adjust their commitments over time and in accordance with national circumstances. This ensures accountability for the Paris Agreement and ensures everyone plays their part. The collective impact of the NDCs can determine whether the world can achieve the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius.

US withdrawal: Global commitment weakened

Trump’s decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement, one of the largest greenhouse gas emitters, has weakened global climate goals. He has argued that the agreement has cost the United States an economic loss. Trump has repeatedly said that the Paris Agreement unfairly benefits countries like China and India, while only harming the United States. Trump’s decision has sent ripples through the global climate issue. It undermines the economic resolve of other countries and slows down the global pace of climate action.

The US decision has significant implications. It will weaken the climate issue in the coming days. As a major emitter, the US’s absence reduces the credibility of global climate efforts. Similarly, the US was a major contributor to the $100 billion fund, and its withdrawal would jeopardize financial support for developing and least developed countries. A US withdrawal could create a vacuum in global climate leadership. Ultimately, it would encourage other countries to delay or weaken their commitments. The main objective of the agreement is to provide financial and technical assistance to the least developed and developing countries to combat the impacts of climate change. For a country like Nepal, which has committed to major financial assistance, the withdrawal from the agreement is a long-term setback.

Nepal: A small emitter facing big challenges

Despite contributing only 0.027% of global greenhouse gas emissions, Nepal is one of the countries most affected by climate change. Nepal is at risk of rising temperatures, erratic weather patterns and melting glaciers due to climate change. Nepal is already experiencing many of the impacts and impacts of climate change in various forms.

The rapid melting of Himalayan glaciers has increased the frequency of glacial lake outburst floods, threatening life and infrastructure. Unpredictable monsoons have led to a decline in crop yields, affecting more than 60% of Nepal’s population, which relies on subsistence farming. Nepal’s reliance on hydropower is threatened by erratic water flows, which have affected power generation and economic growth. Rising temperatures and habitat loss threaten Nepal’s rich biodiversity, including countless endemic species.

Nepal’s ambitious climate goals include achieving net-zero emissions by 2045 and increasing forest cover to 45% by 2030. However, these goals are dependent on international financial and technical assistance. These resources could be at risk after the US withdrawal.

Collectively responsible for less than 1% of global emissions, LDCs are disproportionately affected by climate change. The withdrawal exacerbates the challenges for these countries, which are heavily dependent on international assistance for climate adaptation and mitigation.

 

Low funding hampers infrastructure development and disaster preparedness. Climate-induced disruptions to agriculture exacerbate food insecurity and poverty. Limited resources hamper the ability of LDCs to respond to increasing incidences of floods, droughts, and cyclones.

Despite these constraints, Nepal and other LDCs can adopt a variety of strategies. Efforts to manage alternative finance through multilateral institutions, private investors, and green development are needed. Investments in renewable energy, climate-resilient agriculture, and agro-tourism can be adopted to advance economic growth. Immediate efforts can include supporting the principles of climate justice and holding developed countries accountable for their commitments and providing the funds they have pledged.

In conclusion, the Paris Agreement offered a glimmer of hope in the fight against climate change. But the withdrawal of the US under Trump has cast a dark cloud over its future. For countries like Nepal, which are on the front lines of climate change impacts, the challenges will be greater than ever. The international community must come together to bridge the financial and technical gaps left by the US withdrawal and strengthen the collective resolve to address the climate crisis.