Washington: With Donald Trump back in the Oval Office, the US has once again moved to exit the Paris Agreement, a landmark treaty aimed at curbing global warming. Trump, who was sworn in Monday for a second term, announced the rollback of US commitment to the 2015 climate accord, which was signed by nearly 200 nations to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 C above pre-industrial levels.

According to Anadolu Agency, the withdrawal has raised alarm among environmental experts, who warn it could undermine global efforts to prevent climate catastrophe. The US is currently experiencing record-breaking wildfires in California and devastating hurricanes. The year 2024 marked the warmest on record, with global ocean temperatures reaching unprecedented levels and global temperatures surpassing the 1.5 C threshold for the first time. Experts caution that while the withdrawal will take effect in a year, it risks derailing international climate financing and policy initiatives.

For climate activist Harjeet Singh, Trump's decision is a significant setback for the global fight against climate change. Singh emphasizes that the US, as a major historical emitter, has a unique responsibility in achieving the agreement's goals. He warns that the absence of US leadership risks stalling global climate action momentum. Chris Aylett from Chatham House echoes these concerns, noting the withdrawal could encourage other nations to delay climate commitments, impacting international diplomacy.

Richard Klein of the Stockholm Environment Institute criticizes Trump's decision as damaging to international efforts and contrary to American interests. He highlights the urgency of climate science and stresses that Trump's actions disregard international cooperation, an underpinning of the Paris Agreement.

Experts express alarm over the potential ripple effects on global climate financing. Singh, founding director of the Satat Sampada Climate Foundation, warns of exacerbating the gap in climate finance. The US withdrawal leaves a void in funding, crucial for developing nations to adopt renewable energy and adapt to climate impacts. Without adequate resources, vulnerable countries will struggle to recover from climate-related disasters, hindering efforts to limit global warming to safer levels.

Klein also highlights potential erosion of sustainable finances for climate action in the private sector. Some lenders, like BlackRock, are stepping away from net-zero alliances, focusing on short-term profits over long-term interests.

Concerns extend to a potential increase in fossil fuel extraction under Trump's administration, as he seeks to bolster US oil and gas exports. Singh warns that this focus on fossil fuels delays the global shift to clean energy and locks in infrastructure that will emit greenhouse gases for decades.

While the US withdrawal is a setback, Singh believes it is unlikely to trigger a widespread exodus from the Paris Agreement. Most countries recognize the existential threat of climate change and the necessity of collective action. However, the decision could embolden some nations to reduce their climate ambitions, citing the US' absence as justification.

Aylett suggests that while some leaders might consider following the US example, the Paris Agreement's structure offers resilience. The agreement is a 'bottom-up' instrument, allowing countries to set their own targets, making a large-scale exodus unlikely.