So long, Paris: US officially leaves landmark climate pact

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illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on POLITICO or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: The United States has officially withdrawn from the Paris Agreement, becoming the only country to leave the global climate pact — for a second time
• The exit took effect on January 27, 2026, one year after President Donald Trump initiated the process on his first day back in office
• The White House framed the move as an “America First” decision, arguing the agreement undermined economic growth
• The withdrawal leaves the U.S. without a national target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

🔭 The context: The Paris Agreement is the central international framework to limit global warming
• Nearly every country has committed to national climate targets under the pact
• The U.S. exit follows rollbacks of domestic climate regulations, criticism of renewables, and cuts to international climate finance
• The move further isolates the U.S. diplomatically on climate policy

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: U.S. withdrawal weakens global efforts to curb climate change
• The U.S. is one of the world’s largest historical and current emitters, making its participation critical
• Leaving the pact slows collective progress toward limiting warming to 1.5–2°C, increasing risks of extreme heat, sea-level rise, and ecosystem loss
• Reduced U.S. climate finance may leave vulnerable countries less able to adapt to floods, droughts, and rising seas

⏭️ What’s next: Climate action in the U.S. shifts further to states, cities, and companies
• Other major economies are expected to press ahead with emissions cuts and carbon pricing
• The absence of U.S. federal targets could complicate global coordination and future negotiations

💬 One quote: “The U.S. has officially escaped from the Paris Climate Agreement,” — White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers

📈 One stat: The U.S. now stands alone as the only country to have exited the Paris Agreement

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