The Paris Agreement is a key element of the multilateral climate process. It is the first-ever legally binding document that brings countries together in pursuit of a common goal of climate change mitigation and adaptation.
The US returned to the Paris Climate Agreement on February 19, 2021. Biden decided to return the United States to its previous obligations.
The agreement provides for the acceptance by all countries of commitments to reduce their emissions. In addition, this agreement provides for the implementation of joint work on adaptation to the effects of climate change. It encourages countries to strengthen their commitments over time. The Paris Agreement paves the way for developed countries to assist developing countries in their efforts to mitigate and adapt to climate change.
The Paris Agreement does not provide for sanctions if the parties fail to achieve their stated goals. Countries act on a voluntary basis.
The United States returned to the Paris Climate Agreement 107 days after leaving it.
Biden signed the corresponding decree on the very first day in office. With this, he reversed the decision of his predecessor, Donald Trump.
The Trump administration announced its withdrawal from the Paris Agreement in 2019. But due to the terms of the agreement, the decision came into force only on November 4, 2020.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres said Thursday that America’s official return is “very important in itself,” as is Biden’s announcement that the US will once again begin providing climate assistance to poorer countries as promised in 2009.
