Big Oil breaks with Trump on potential second withdrawal from Paris Climate Agreement
Big Oil Urges Trump to Stay in Paris Climate Agreement
Big Oil is making a plea to President-elect Donald Trump, urging him to keep the United States in the Paris climate agreement despite his previous withdrawal from the treaty during his first term in office. The Paris Agreement, a landmark treaty established at the U.N. Climate Change Conference in 2015, involves nearly 195 countries committed to international cooperation on combating climate change.
In 2020, Trump officially withdrew the U.S. from the agreement, but the country was reinstated in 2021 after President Biden took office. However, with Trump winning a second term in the 2024 election, there are concerns that he may once again consider withdrawing from the agreement. Surprisingly, some oil companies have expressed opposition to this idea.
When Trump initially announced plans to withdraw from the Paris Agreement in 2017, then-CEO of Shell, Ben van Beurden, voiced his disagreement. He emphasized the reality of climate change and the need for a global energy transition to prevent a significant rise in global temperatures. As Trump faces the prospect of a second term, there are renewed calls for him to reconsider staying in the international climate agreement.
Darren Woods, CEO of ExxonMobil, echoed similar sentiments, stating that the constant shifts in policy create uncertainty and inefficiency for businesses. He emphasized the importance of providing a stable environment for companies to operate in, without the pendulum swinging back and forth with changing administrations.
The American Petroleum Institute (API) also voiced its support for the ambitions of the Paris Agreement, highlighting the importance of global action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and alleviate poverty worldwide. The API spokesperson emphasized that the U.S. leads in energy production and emission reduction, and the industry remains committed to accelerating progress in these areas.
Despite these calls for Trump to reconsider his stance on the Paris Agreement, his campaign confirmed that he would be in favor of withdrawing from the treaty once again if elected to a second term. The decision to remain in or withdraw from the agreement could have significant implications for the future of climate action and international cooperation on environmental issues.
In conclusion, the debate over the U.S.’s participation in the Paris climate agreement highlights the complexities and challenges of addressing global climate change. As the world grapples with the urgent need for action on environmental issues, the decisions made by political leaders and industry stakeholders will play a crucial role in shaping the future of our planet.
