On his first day in office, President Joe Biden signed an executive order to rejoin the Paris Agreement, marking a significant reversal of the previous administration`s stance on climate change. The move has been welcomed by environmental activists around the world who have been pushing for the United States to take a leadership role in global efforts to combat climate change.
The Paris Agreement, which was signed in 2015 by 197 countries, is a legally binding treaty aimed at limiting global warming to well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Under the agreement, participating countries are required to regularly submit progress reports on their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, as well as to increase their ambition over time.
The United States, under the Obama administration, played a key role in negotiating the agreement and was one of the signatories. However, in 2017, former President Donald Trump announced his intention to withdraw the country from the agreement, citing concerns over the economic impact of the deal on American businesses.
Biden`s decision to rejoin the Paris Agreement is being viewed as a major step towards restoring U.S. leadership in global climate action. In a statement, the White House said that the United States would „exercise its leadership to promote a significant increase in global ambition“ and „make good on its responsibility“ to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The executive order signed by President Biden directs the U.S. Department of State to take all necessary steps to rejoin the Paris Agreement, including submitting a new nationally determined contribution (NDC) that reflects the country`s ambitious climate goals. The order also establishes a new position of special presidential envoy for climate and directs all federal agencies to prioritize climate change in their policy-making and decision-making processes.
The move has been widely welcomed by environmental groups and leaders around the world. UN Secretary-General António Guterres tweeted that the decision was a „welcome re-entry“ and that the United States needed to „lead by example.“ European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also hailed the decision, saying that it was a „great day“ for the planet and that the world „urgently“ needed „ambitious climate action.“
In conclusion, the decision to rejoin the Paris Agreement marks a significant turning point in global efforts to combat climate change. With the United States back in the fold, there is renewed hope that the world can come together to tackle this urgent threat and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to a level that will help avoid the worst impacts of climate change. The road ahead will not be easy, but with renewed leadership and determination, there is reason to believe that we can make a difference and safeguard our planet for future generations.