President Calderón: Statement on US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement

 

The Trump administration has made a grave mistake by withdrawing from the Paris Agreement. It has made it harder for the United States to take advantage of the booming and job-creating low-carbon economy. It is also going against the will of the American people. 7 in 10 Americans support the agreement.

 

While the US withdrawal is disappointing, it does not mean the end of the Paris Agreement. 195 countries have signed the agreement, and its rapid ratification by so many last year was a testament to how committed the world is to tackling climate change. The world has rallied around it like almost no other agreement in history. Countries like China and India are quickly stepping forward to take a leadership role. They are embracing clean energy as it becomes increasingly cost competitive.

Countries that have ratified the Paris Agreement know that tackling climate change is in their economic self-interest. Reducing emissions makes economies more efficient and productive. By abandoning the Paris Agreement, the US could find itself left behind as the sustainable economy marches inevitably forward.