Concern mounts over potential U.S. withdrawal from Paris Agreement

The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation on May 2 intending to bar the U.S. from withdrawing from the Paris Agreement and requiring the administration to develop a plan for achieving the country’s greenhouse gas reduction pledge. The long-term goal of the Paris Agreement is to keep the increase in global average temperature to below two degrees Celsius, above pre-industrial levels, to reduce the effects of climate change. In 2017, President Trump stated his intent to withdraw from the Agreement when he is able to do so in November 2020. It is unlikely that the Republican-led Senate will take up the House bill. The president has threatened to veto any bill that crosses his desk.