Resolution Backs US Exit from Paris Climate Accord

This concurrent resolution formally expresses Congressional support for the President's decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement. That's the international accord finalized in Paris on December 12, 2015, under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, aimed at addressing global climate change.

Stepping Back from the Global Stage

The Paris Agreement represents a global effort where participating countries set their own targets (known as Nationally Determined Contributions or NDCs) to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and limit global warming. By supporting withdrawal, this resolution endorses stepping away from the commitments and cooperative framework established by that agreement. While the agreement's targets are largely self-enforced, participation signifies a commitment to international climate action. This resolution signals official backing for reversing that commitment.

Shifting Gears on Climate Policy

Supporting withdrawal has real-world echoes, even if the resolution itself doesn't change laws. It lends weight to a policy shift away from the internationally coordinated approach of the Paris Agreement. This could translate to less federal emphasis on regulations tied to Paris goals, potentially easing burdens on industries like fossil fuels, as noted in the background analysis. Conversely, the renewable energy sector and businesses focused on green technology might see this as a less favorable policy environment. The move also impacts the U.S.'s role in international climate negotiations and could influence global momentum on climate initiatives, effectively removing the U.S. from a key position in that specific international framework.