March 3, 2026Open Access

Once more, with feeling : US withdrawal from the Paris agreement

Key Points

US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement may not lead to adverse effects on global climate governance, and could instead drive improved cooperation.
The analysis reveals how the current withdrawal from the Paris Agreement differs significantly from the previous one in its historical context.
Exploration of US positions shows fluctuating roles in international agreements, underscoring its rulemaker influence.
Potential positive consequences from the US's disengagement may pave the way for a more engaged and resilient Paris Agreement.

Abstract

One of Donald Trump’s first acts in his second US presidency was withdrawing from the 2015 Paris Agreement. The US has historically played the role of 'rulemaker’ yet is notoriously fickle in its ratification and participation. This paper highlights this history of (non-)cooperation, how this second withdrawal differs from the first, and what the potential consequences, both good and bad, are for global climate governance. It shows how US withdrawal may not lead to a crippled regime but can rather pave the way to a more robust and engaged Paris Agreement.

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Cite This Study

Hermine Van Coppenolle (Thu,) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/69a75e66c6e9836116a28f42

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