FACT CHECK: President Trump’s speech on intention to...
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www.climateanalytics.org 1 FACT CHECK: President Trump’s speech on intention to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, 1 June 2017 Argument used by President Trump Quotes from speech (see Annex below for full speech) Analysis Renegotiation is possible “…the United States will withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord, but begin negotiations to re-enter, either the Paris Accord or a really entirely new transaction on terms that are fair to the United States, its businesses, its workers, its people, its taxpayers. So we're getting out. But we will start to negotiate, and we will see if we can make a deal that's fair. And if we can, that's great. And if we can't, that's fine.” There is no political will to renegotiate the Paris Agreement and therefore the Agreement will not be renegotiated. This was immediately stated in reaction to President Trump’s speech in a statement given by France, Germany, and Italy. The Secretariat of the UNFCCC released a clear Statement on the US Decision to Withdraw from the Paris Agreement on the same day as President Trump’s announcement: “The Paris Agreement remains a historic treaty signed by 195 and ratified by 146 counties plus the European Union. Therefore it cannot be renegotiated based on the request of a single Party” (emphasis added). At the meeting of G7 environment ministers in Bologna on 11-12 June, the ministers of non-US members of the G7 – Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the UK, as well as the European Commissioners responsible for climate and the environment – reaffirmed their “strong commitment to the swift and effective implementation of the Paris Agreement”, stating that it is “irreversible and its full integrity is key for the security and prosperity of our planet, societies and economies”.
Transcript of FACT CHECK: President Trump’s speech on intention to...
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FACTCHECK:PresidentTrump’sspeechonintentiontowithdrawfromtheParisAgreement,1June2017ArgumentusedbyPresidentTrump
Quotesfromspeech(seeAnnexbelowforfullspeech)
Analysis
Renegotiationispossible
“…theUnitedStateswillwithdrawfromtheParisClimateAccord,butbeginnegotiationstore-enter,eithertheParisAccordorareallyentirelynewtransactionontermsthatarefairtotheUnitedStates,itsbusinesses,itsworkers,itspeople,itstaxpayers.Sowe'regettingout.Butwewillstarttonegotiate,andwewillseeifwecanmakeadealthat'sfair.Andifwecan,that'sgreat.Andifwecan't,that'sfine.”
ThereisnopoliticalwilltorenegotiatetheParisAgreementandthereforetheAgreementwillnotberenegotiated.ThiswasimmediatelystatedinreactiontoPresidentTrump’sspeechinastatementgivenbyFrance,Germany,andItaly.TheSecretariatoftheUNFCCCreleasedaclearStatementontheUSDecisiontoWithdrawfromtheParisAgreementonthesamedayasPresidentTrump’sannouncement:“TheParisAgreementremainsahistorictreatysignedby195andratifiedby146countiesplustheEuropeanUnion.ThereforeitcannotberenegotiatedbasedontherequestofasingleParty”(emphasisadded).AtthemeetingofG7environmentministersinBolognaon11-12June,theministersofnon-USmembersoftheG7–Canada,France,Germany,Italy,JapanandtheUK,aswellastheEuropeanCommissionersresponsibleforclimateandtheenvironment–reaffirmedtheir“strongcommitmenttotheswiftandeffectiveimplementationoftheParisAgreement”,statingthatitis“irreversibleanditsfullintegrityiskeyforthesecurityandprosperityofourplanet,societiesandeconomies”.
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TheEUCommissionerfortheenvironment,KarmenuVella,furtheremphasizedthispositioninapressstatementfollowingthemeeting:“LetmebeveryclearonthepointoftheirreversibilityoftheParisAgreement:theEuropeanUnionwillnotrenegotiatetheParisAgreement.Nowitistimeforaction,theworld'spriorityisimplementation.”TheParisAgreementrepresentsthefirsttimeinhistorythatallcountriesoftheworld(apartfromSyriaandNicaragua)haveagreedtoworktogethertowardsthecommonmitigationandadaptationgoalsoutlinedintheAgreement,withoutarigiddistinctiondrawnbetweendevelopedanddevelopingcountryparticipation.TheUShasdemandedanagreementthatisuniversalinitsapplicationacrosssuccessiveadministrationssinceatleast2001.Inordertosecuresuchanagreement,mostcountrieshadtocompromiseonissuesimportanttotheminexchangeforthelargerprizeofsecuringacollectiveagreementonaglobalchallengethatcanonlyberesolvedviacollectiveaction.Ininternationalnegotiationsallcountriesexpecttonegotiateingoodfaith;ifonecountrywalksawayfromahardfoughtagreementafterothershavemadesubstantialconcessionsandcompromisestoaccommodatethatParty,theentirefoundationofthemultilateralnegotiatingprocessisundermined.Forthesereasons,therewillbenowilltorenegotiate.
PresidentTrumpintendstobeginnegotiationstore-entertheParisAgreement
“I’mwillingtoimmediatelyworkwithDemocraticleaderstoeithernegotiateourwaybackintoParis,underthetermsthatarefairtotheUnitedStatesanditsworkers,ortonegotiateanewdealthatprotectsourcountryanditstaxpayers.”
TheUScannotre-entertheParisAgreementuntilafterithaslegallywithdrawnfromtheParisAgreement.TheearliestwithdrawalcantakeplaceisinNovember2020.SeeArticle28oftheParisAgreement.
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TheUSwillceaseallimplementationoftheParisAgreement
“…asoftodaytheUnitedStateswillceaseallimplementationofthenon-bindingParisAccordandthedraconianfinancialandeconomicburdenstheagreementimposesonourcountry.Thisincludesendingtheimplementationofthenationallydeterminedcontributionand,veryimportantly,theGreenClimateFund,whichiscostingtheUnitedStatesavastfortune.”
TheUnitedStatesremainsaPartytotheParisAgreementuntilatleastNovember2020.Therefore,untilthatdate,theUSisboundunderinternationallawtocomplywiththeParisAgreement'sobligations.Regardless,becausemanyobligationsoftheParisAgreement(PA)simplyechoorreinforceobligationsalreadyinplaceundertheUNFCCCanditssupportingdecisions,theUSwillbeimplementingaspectsofthePAsimplybycomplyingwithitsexistingUNFCCCobligations.Inafewexamples:1)TheParisAgreementrequiresallParties,exceptforLeastDevelopedCountriesandsmallislanddevelopingStates,toregularlyprovideanationalGHGinventoryreportofemissionsbysourcesandsinks,with'regularly'understoodasatleasteverytwoyears(Art.13.7;decision1/CP.21,para.90).à UndertheUNFCCC,theUnitedStatesisalreadyrequiredtoprovideinventoryreportsannually,byApril15ofeachyear(seedecision24/CP.19).
2)TheParisAgreementrequiresPartiesto'maintain'anationally-determinedcontribution(NDC)andtopursuedomesticmitigationmeasureswiththeaimofachievingtheobjectivesofitsNDC.TheUS'sNDChasalreadybeensubmitted,itismaintainedbytheSecretariatanditexpressestheUSintenttoachievea26-28%reductionrelativeto2005levelsby2025.
à UndertheUNFCCC,theUShasalreadypledgedtoreduceitsemissions17%below2005levelsby2020inconformitywithanticipatedlegislation,withanemissionspathwaythatwouldentaila30%emissionreductionby2025.AllUNFCCCPartiesarerequiredtoformulateandimplementmeasurestomitigateclimatechangebyaddressinganthropogenicemissions(Art.4.1(b)).TheUStargetandmeasuresareequallyrelevantunder
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theParisAgreementthrough2020.
3)TheParisAgreementrequiresPartiestoprovidetheinformationnecessarytotrackprogressmadeinimplementingandachievingtheirNDCs;thisinformationissubjecttoreview.à UndertheUNFCCC,theUSisalreadyrequiredtoreportbienniallyonitsprogresstowardachievingits2020targetandtoprovideprojectionsfor2030.Thisinformationissubjecttoatechnicalreview.Seedecision2/CP.17,AnnexesIandII.ThesameinformationisequallyrelevantundertheParisAgreement.4)TheParisAgreementrequiresdevelopedcountryPartiesto"providefinancialresourcestoassistdevelopingcountrieswithrespecttobothmitigationandadaptationincontinuationoftheirexistingobligationsundertheConvention."(emphasisadded)à UndertheUNFCCC,theUSisalreadyrequiredtoprovidesupporttodevelopingcountriestoassistwiththeirmitigation,adaptationandreportingneeds.
TheParisAgreementhurtstheUSeconomywithlossofjobsandvastlydiminishedeconomicproductioninkeysectors
“CompliancewiththetermsoftheParisAccord(…)couldcostAmericaasmuchas2.7millionlostjobsby2025,accordingtotheNationalEconomicResearchAssociates.Thisincludes440,000fewermanufacturingjobs(…),includingautomobilejobsandthefurtherdecimationofvitalAmericanindustriesonwhichcountlesscommunitiesrely.(…)Accordingtothissamestudy,by2040,compliancewiththecommitmentsputintoplacebythepreviousadministration,wouldcutproductionforthefollowingsectors:Paper–down12%.Cement–down23%.Ironandsteel–down38%.Coal–andIhappentolovethecoalminers–down86%.Naturalgasdown31%.”
Employmentintherenewable-energyindustryisgrowingrapidlyintheUnitedStates(andaroundtheworld),andfarexceedsthatincoalmining.AccordingtoIRENA,in2016thesolarandwindindustriesemployedaround777,000peopleintheUS,andmorethan8millionglobally.
Trump’spromisestothecoal-industryworkforcecannotbemet.Bytheendof2015,thecoalindustryintheUShadcollapsed,withthreeofthefourlargestUSminersfilingforbankruptcyalongwithmanyothersmallercompanies.Coalminingemploymenthasbeenonthedeclinefordecades–fromapeakofmorethan800,000inthe1920sto130,000in2011.Coaluseandminingisprojectedtocontinuedecliningbecause
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“ThecosttotheeconomyatthistimewouldbeclosetothreetrilliondollarsinlostGDPand6.5millionindustrialjobs,whilehouseholdswouldhave$7,000lessincomeand,inmanycases,muchworsethanthat.”
ofchangesintheenergymarkets,includinglowernatural-gaspricesandoverwhelmingcompetitiononpricefromrenewablesandstorage.Recentresearchshowthatincreasedcompetitionfromcheapnaturalgasisresponsiblefor49percentofthedeclineindomesticUScoalconsumption;lower-than-expecteddemandisresponsiblefor26percent;andthegrowthinrenewableenergyisresponsiblefor18percent.
ManyotherstudiesshowtheoppositeofwhatisclaimedbyTrump–thatclimatepolicycanleadtoanincreaseingrowthandjobs.SeeforexampletherecentlyreleasedOECDstudyfortheG20,whichfoundthatG20countriescouldbenefitfroma5%boosttogrowthby2050iftheypursueclimate-resilientandlow-carboneconomicdevelopment.TheNewEconomyReport,releasedin2015,showshowsuchacombinationofeconomicgrowthandreducedclimateriskscouldbeachieved.MorespecificallyfortheUS,scientistshavelookedatthecosttotheUSofwithdrawingfromtheParisAgreementandfoundthatthatby2100theUScouldbe5%poorerthanitwouldhavebeenhaditstayedintheAgreement,withatotalofover$8trillionlostoverthecourseofthecentury.Thesenumbersaresensitivetoassumptionsmadeaboutfutureglobalmitigation(inthisstudyitispessimisticallyassumedthatclimateactionfreezesafter2030)andthetypesofcostincluded(thecostscouldbegreaterife.g.theeffectsofpoorairqualityonhealthwereincluded).Nevertheless,itgivesaball-parkfigurethatrevealsthesubstantialcosttotheUSofinactiononclimatechange;acostwhichwouldbeevengreaterifothercountriesweretofollowsuit.
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ThebenefitsofclimatepolicyextendbeyondchangesinGDP.TheLowCarbonMonitorpublishedbyClimateAnalyticsoutlinesmanyofthesebenefitsandopportunitiesfromambitiousclimatepolicy,includingforgrowth,employment,healthandenergysecurity.PresidentTrumpcites(correctlybutwithoutreferringtocaveats)astudybyNERAEconomicConsultingpublishedinMarch2017whichmakesassumptionsthathavebeencriticisedbyexperts,seeClimatefeedback.org(highcostassumptionsinmodel,unrealisticassumptionsregardingnoactionofothercountries,noinvestmentsingreenenergy,staticbehaviourofindustrywithoutadaptationtoregulation).Thestudyalsoignoresbenefitsfromclimateaction.
TheParisAgreementisunfair–itpunishestheUSwhilenotimposingmeaningfulobligationsontheworld’sleadingpolluters.
TheParisAgreement“punishestheUnitedStates,(…)world’sleaderinenvironmentalprotectionwhileimposingnomeaningfulobligationsontheworld’sleadingpolluters.”
FarfrombeingunfairtotheUS,theParisAgreementwithadesignprinciplepromotedbytheUS,allowseachcountrytoputforwardtheeffortitbelievestobefair.Thecollectivedesireofcountriestodealwiththeclimatechangeproblem,asreflectedinthelegallybindingParisAgreement,meansthateachcountrywilllooktowardsotherstotrytoencouragealltoputforwarda‘fair’levelofaction.Consistentwithits“bottom-up”design,theParisAgreementdoesnotprovideobligationsorofficialguidanceonthescaleofnecessaryemissionsreductionsorambitionrequiredfromindividualcountriesincontributingtoprogresstowardsagreedglobalgoalsundertheAgreement.TherearenointernationallynegotiatedtargetsforindividualcountriesundertheAgreementasthereareundertheKyotoProtocol.Rather,itisuptoeachcountrytodecidedomesticallywhatemissionsreductiontargetitwillincludeinitsNDCandwhatdomesticpoliciesand
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measuresitwilldesignandimplementtoachieveitschosentarget.ThisisastruefortheUnitedStatesasitisforChina,Indiaandothercountries.PresidentTrumpdidnotacknowledgeinhisannouncementthattheUSisalsoa"leadingemitter".OfalltheGHGemissionseverproduced,theUShascontributedthelargestshare,makingtheUSisthesingle,largestcumulativeemitterofGHGs.TheUSiscurrentlysecondonlytoChinainannualemissions.Inpercapitaterms,however,theaveragepersonintheUSemitsfarmorethansomeoneinChinaorIndia:inrecentyears,emissionspercapitaintheUSwere10timesaslargeasthoseinIndia,andwelloverdoublethepercapitaemissionsinChina.ThedifferenceinGDPpercapitaissimilarlyhuge,withtheUSat~10and~4timestheGDPpercapitaofIndiaandChinarespectivelyin2015.MostoftheobligationsundertheParisAgreementapplytoallParties,includingtheworld’sleadingpolluterssuchasChinaandIndia.ThiswasoneofthegreatachievementsofParis–thatitdeliveredanagreementwhereallcountriesacceptedtheymustcontributetoglobaleffortstoreduceemissions.TheAgreementdoesnotincludeanyobligationsthatapplyonlytotheUnitedStates.Forexample,allPartiestotheParisAgreement(148Partiesatpresent)haveagreedtopursuea1.5degreelimittoglobalwarming,andrecognisedtheneedtopeakglobalemissionsassoonaspossibleandtoreducethemrapidlytozeroemissionsinthesecondhalfofthiscentury.EachPartytotheAgreementhasalsoagreedtoprepare,communicateandmaintainsuccessive
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nationallydeterminedcontributions(NDCs)thattheyintendtoachieve,topursuedomesticmitigationmeasureswiththeaimofachievingtheobjectivesoftheirNDCs,andtobringforwardsuccessiveNDCseveryfiveyears,representingaprogressionbeyondtheircurrentNDCandreflectingtheirhighestpossibleambition.
Chinacancontinuetoincreaseemissionsfor13years.India'sparticipationisconditioneduponreceiptofforeignaid
“Forexample,undertheagreement,Chinawillbeabletoincreasetheemissionsbyastaggeringnumberofyears–13.Theycandowhatevertheywantfor13years.Notus.Indiamakesitsparticipationcontingentonreceivingbillionsandbillionsandbillionsofdollarsinforeignaidfromdevelopedcountries.TherearemanyotherexamplesbutthebottomlineisthattheParisAccordisveryunfairatthehighestleveltotheUnitedStates.”
ChinahaspledgedinitsNDCtohaltthegrowthinitscarbonemissionsby2030,13yearsfromnow,leavingopenastopreciselywhenintheperiodbefore2030.Intermsofimplementation,Chinaappearsalreadytobeclosetopeakingitsemissions.Inotherwords,Chinahasalreadyputinplacemeasuresthatputitontracktobeatitstargetdateforpeakingemissionsbymanyyears,accordingtotheClimateActionTracker.IndiaisalsowellaheadofscheduleinmeetingitsPariscommitments,basedonitsowninvestmentsinrenewableenergysystemsandisnowpromotingrapiddevelopmentofelectricvehicles.Indiahasnotsoughttomakethesedevelopmentscontingentonforeignaid.
TheParisAgreementisunfairbecauseitallowsothers(China,India,EU)tobuildcoal-firedpowerplants,butnottheUSA.ItthereforetransferscoaljobsoutoftheUStoothercountries.Itisdesignedtogiveadvantage
“…whilethecurrentagreementeffectivelyblocksthedevelopmentofcleancoalinAmerica(…)Chinawillbeallowedtobuildhundredsofadditionalcoalplants.So,wecan’tbuildtheplants,buttheycan,accordingtothisagreement.Indiawillbeallowedtodoubleitscoalproductionby2020.Thinkofit.Indiacandoubleitscoalproduction.We’resupposedtogetridofours.EvenEuropeisallowedtocontinueconstructionofcoalplants.”
TheParisAgreementsimplydoesnotimposeanylimitsonspecifictechnologies.Itdoesnotpreventcountriesfromextracting,marketingorusingcoalorotherfossilfuels;nordoestheAgreement“pickwinners”withrespecttospecifyingwhichlowGHGemissionstechnologiescountriesshoulddeploy.Rather,theAgreementincludescollectivegoalsthatallPartieshaveagreedto(e.g.topursueeffortstolimittemperatureincreaseto1.5oCabovepre-industriallevels).Itisthenupto
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toothercountries.ItforcestheUStostopusingitsfossil/coalreserves.
“Inshort,theagreementdoesn’teliminatecoaljobs.ItjusttransfersthosejobsoutofAmericaandtheUnitedStatesandshipsthemtoforeigncountries.ThisagreementislessabouttheclimateandmoreaboutothercountriesgainingafinancialadvantageovertheUnitedStates.”“Wehaveamongthemostabundantenergyreservesintheplanet,sufficienttoliftmillionsofAmerica’spoorestworkersoutofpoverty.Yetunderthisagreement,weareeffectivelyputtingthesereservesunderlockandkey,takingawaythegreatwealthofournation.(…)TheagreementisamassiveredistributionofUnitedStates’wealthtoothercountries.”
eachindividualPartytooutlineinitsNDCitspromisedcontributionstowardsthesegoalsandtopursuedomesticmitigationmeasuresaimedatachievingthesecontributions.AspartofputtingforwardandimplementingaNDC,eachPartytotheAgreementthenhastomakeitsownsovereigndomesticdecisionsonwhichpoliciesitwillintroduceforthepurposesofimplementingandachievingitsNDC.Policiesintroducedbycountrieswillcontributetooutcomesineachcountrywithrespectto,forexample,thebuildingofnewcoal-firedpowerplants,closingdownofexistingpowerplants,and/orincreasedinvestmentanddeploymentinrenewablestechnologies(solar,windetc.).ImplementationoftheParisAgreementwillhavetoleavemuchofthecoalandotherfossilreservesuntouchedglobally–notjustintheUS–seethereportbyClimateAnalyticsonimplicationsofPAforcoalglobally,whichconcludesthatunderaleast-costapproach,unabatedcoalwouldneedtobephased-outgloballyaroundmid-century.ThismeansthatitisinthebestinterestofcountriestorapidlyreducetheroleofcoalintheirelectricitymixestomeettheirNDCsinacost-effectiveway,asemissionsreductionsinothersectorsarecomparablymoreexpensive.Manycountries,includingChinaandIndia,haverealisedthepotentialofcoalphase-outasacost-effectivemitigationmeasureandarebuildingfewercoal-firedpowerstationsthanplannedwhileclosingarapidlyincreasingnumberofoperatingcoalpowerplants.AsofFebruary2017,68GWofcoalpowerplantsconstructionwasfrozenatover100projectsitesinChinaandIndia,andatthegloballevelmoreconstructionwasbeingfrozenthanenteredinoperation.Coalplantretirementsare
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takingplaceatanunprecedentedpace,with64GWofretirementsinthepasttwoyears,mainlyintheEuropeanUnionandtheUnitedStates.TheClimateActionTrackerhasshownthatthoserecentdevelopmentsinthecoalsectorhavehasapositiveeffectonthegrowthrateofglobalemissions.
TheParisAgreement,evenifimplementedinfull,hasonlynegligibleimpact-isestimatedtoreduceglobaltemperatureonlyby0.2°Cin2100.
“EveniftheParisAgreementwereimplementedinfull,withtotalcompliancefromallnations,itisestimateditwouldonlyproduceatwo-tenthsofonedegree–thinkofthat;thismuch–Celsiusreductioninglobaltemperaturebytheyear2100.Tiny,tinyamount.Infact,14daysofcarbonemissionsfromChinaalonewouldwipeoutthegainsfromAmerica–andthisisanincrediblestatistic–wouldtotallywipeoutthegainsfromAmerica'sexpectedreductionsintheyear2030”
Thisisanunrealisticestimateduetoitsassumptionthateffortsarefrozenafter2030,astheClimateActionTrackerhasalreadyanalysedin2015.Thisfigureistakenfroma2015MITreport,accordingtowhichtheParisAgreement–basedonpledgesavailablebythen–would“shaveanadditional0.2degreesCelsiusbeyondexistingtreatiesandobligations”.TheClimateActionTrackerassessmentconcludesthatthefullimplementationofpresentNDCsalreadycommunicatedundertheParisAgreement(includingtheUSNDC)willkeeptemperaturesdownby0.8degreesCelsius:whilethesimplecontinuationofcurrentpolicieswouldleadto3.6degreesCelsiusofwarming,fullNDCimplementationwouldseethisreducedto2.8degrees.However,therequirementthatPartiescommunicateneworupdatedNDCswithimprovedambitioneveryfiveyearsprovidesanopportunityforfutureNDCstobebroughtinlinewiththe1.5oCtemperaturegoaloftheParisAgreement.TheAgreementalsobuildsinregularreportingandreviewprocessesdesignedtotrackprogresstowardsglobalgoalsandachievementofindividualcountries’goalsoutlinedinNDCs.TheseprocessesarecollectivelyaimedatseeingacollectiveincreaseinthelevelofambitionovertimeinordertoachievetheParisAgreement’sgoals.
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TheUSneedsallenergysourcesforexpectedeconomicgrowthof3-4%peryear.
“At1percentgrowth,renewablesourcesofenergycanmeetsomeofourdomesticdemand,butat3or4percentgrowth,whichIexpect,weneedallformsofavailableAmericanenergy,orourcountry–(applause)–willbeatgraveriskofbrownoutsandblackouts”
Whilstsuchahighrateofeconomicgrowthseemsunlikely,itwouldnotnecessarilyhinderitsadoptionofcleanandrenewableenergytechnologies,electricvehiclesandmanyoftheothertransformationsneededtoreachzeroemissions.Ahighereconomicgrowthrateimplieshighlevelsofinvestmentallaround,increasingproductivityincludingenergyproductivity,whichislinkedtoacleanerenergysystemoverall.SeeScientificAmericanfactcheck:“AseriesofrecentstudieshavefoundthattheUSgridcouldoperatereliablywithlargeamountsofrenewablegeneration.ANationalRenewableEnergyLaboratorystudyfromlastyearconcludedthattheEasternInterconnectioncouldoperatewith30percentpenetrationsofwindandrenewablegeneration.A2016NationalOceanicandAtmosphericAdministrationstudyfoundthattheU.S.powersectorcouldcutcarbonemissionsby80percentwithoutincreasingcosts.”
OthercountrieswanttodeliberatelyhandicaptheUS.
“AtwhatpointdoesAmericagetdemeaned?Atwhatpointdotheystartlaughingatus,asacountry?Wewantfairtreatmentforitscitizensandwewantfairtreatmentforourtaxpayers.Wedon’twantotherleadersandothercountrieslaughingatusanymore.Andtheywon’tbe.Theywon’tbe.”
TheParisAgreementallowseachcountrytoputforwardtheeffortitbelievestobefair.EvenifthepledgespresentedbyPartiesarenotmet,theParisAgreementisexplicitlydesignedtobenon-punitive–thiswasdoneinparttoaccommodatetheUSinthenegotiations.WhileArticle15oftheAgreementestablishesamechanismtofacilitateimplementationandpromotecompliance,eventhismechanismhasdeliberatelybeendesignedtofunctioninamannerthatisfacilitative,constructive,non-confrontational,non-adversarialandnon-punitive,tosupportimplementationthroughaprocessthatwillavoidanyformalembarrassmentofcountriesthatdonotmeetthelevelofmitigationefforttheyhavesetforthemselves.TheParisAgreementhasbeenspecificallydesignedtoaddress
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andaccommodatethesensitivitiesoftheUnitedStatesandothercountriesthatdonotwishtowarrant,orarenotinapositiontowarrant,thattheywillbeablemeettheNDCstheythemselveshavebroughtforward.TheUnitedStateswasactiveinthenegotiatingprocessinprotectingitsdomesticinterestsandsecuredmanyconcessionsfromotherPartiesasaresult.ItisforthisreasonthattheannouncedintentionoftheUnitedStatesnowtowithdrawfromtheParisAgreementhasopeneduptheUnitedStatesforridiculeandcriticisminmanypartsoftheworld.AnyweakeningoftheUnitedStatesisfarmorelikelycomefromthepoliticalfall-outfromannouncedwithdrawal,thanfromparticipationintheprocessesestablishedundertheParisAgreement.
TheParisAgreementforcestheUStopayavastfortunetotheGreenClimateFund(GCF),withothersnotexpectedtopay.TheParisAgreementwillforcemuchhigherpaymentsinfuture.Majorpollutersdonothavetocontribute.
“BeyondthesevereenergyrestrictionsinflictedbytheParisAccord,itincludesyetanotherschemetoredistributewealthoutoftheUnitedStatesthroughtheso-calledGreenClimatefund,nicename,whichcallsfordevelopedcountriestosendonehundredbilliondollarstodevelopingcountries,allontopofAmerica’sexistingandmassiveforeignaidpayments.Sowe’regoingtobepayingbillionsandbillionsandbillionsofdollarsandwe’realreadywayaheadofanyoneelse.Manyothercountrieshaven’tspentanything.Andmanyofthemwillneverpayonedime.”“TheGreenFundwouldlikelyobligatetheUnitedStatestocommitpotentiallytensofbillionsofdollars,ofwhichtheUnitedStateshasalreadyhandedover$1billion.Nobodyelseisevenclose.Mostofthemhaven’tevenpaidanything.”“In2015,theGreenClimateFund'sexecutivedirector
ThefactscontradictPresidentTrump’sclaims.ThefewbilliondollarsthattheUShascommittedtotheGCFisfarfrombeinga“vastfortune”.TheUSsofarhasdeliveredonethirdofitsUS$3billionpledge.
FormerPresidentObamapledged$3billiontotheGCF,ofwhich$1billionwasdelivered.TheUScommitmentwascappedat30percentoftheGCF’stotal,withthatshareexpectedtodeclineovertimeasmorecountrieskickedin.OthermajorcontributorssuchasFrance,Japan,GermanyandtheUKhavepledgedandsignedimportantamounts(betweenUSD1billion-USD1.5billioneach)andoftheseGermany,Japan,andtheUKhavealreadydeliveredone-thirdtohalfoftheirpledges.ThelargestcontributorpercapitaisSwedenthathasalreadypaidthetotalpledgedamount.
ThoughthereisnoobligationofdevelopingcountriestocontributetotheGCF,somehavealreadypledgedtotheFund
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reportedlystatedthatestimatedfundingneededwouldincreaseto$450billionperyearafter2020.Andnobodyevenknowswherethemoneyisgoingto.Nobodyhasbeenabletosay,whereisitgoingto?”“Ofcourse,theworld'stoppollutershavenoaffirmativeobligationsundertheGreenFund,whichweterminated.”
andtheParisAgreementencouragesdevelopingcountriestoprovideorcontinuetoprovidesupportvoluntarily.
Developedcountriescommittedin2009toagoalofmobilizingjointlyUSD100billionayearby2020toaddresstheneedsofdevelopingcountries.Thisfinancialsupportistocomefromawidevarietyofsources:public,private,bilateralandmultilateral,includingalternativesourcesoffinance.
TheUSD100billioncommitmentwasreaffirmedinParis,whereitwasalsoagreedtosetanewcollectivegoalpriorto2025.Themobilisationoffinancialsupportwillcomenotonlyfrompublicbudgetarycontributionsofdevelopedcountries,butalsofromothersources-andnotalltheUSD100billionwillflowthroughtheGCF.
TheGCFwasformallyestablishedin2010tosupportdevelopingcountriesintheirtransitiontoaclimateresilientandlow-carbondevelopmentpathway.TheGCFthatservestheParisAgreementasoneofthetwoFinancialMechanismsoftheUNFCCChasreceivedoverUS$10billionincontributionsfrom43countriesandanumberofregionsandcities,includingninedevelopingcountrieswhothemselvesarehighlyaffectedbyclimatechangeimpactsalreadyoccurringintheircountries.Contributionsarenotcompulsory–eachcountrymakesitsowndecisionwhethertocontributetotheFundandthelevelofanycontribution.
TheExecutiveDirectoroftheGCFinherinterviewwithReutersinJune2015saidthat“Estimatesoftotalinvestmentneedswereabout$450billionayearfrom2020,splitbetween$350billiontocurbgreenhousegasemissionsand$100billiontoadaptto
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changessuchasmorefrequentdownpoursandheatwaves.”ThiswasstatedinthecontextofhowtheamountpledgedtotheGCF(USD10.3billion)isnotalargeamountofmoneytoaddresstheneedsofdevelopingcountriesandthisamountwasfor4years.
TheParisAgreementisariskforUSsovereigntyandimposesalegalliability
“ForeignleadersinEurope,AsiaandacrosstheworldshouldnothavemoretosaywithrespecttotheU.S.economythanourowncitizensandtheirelectedrepresentatives.ThusourwithdrawalfromtheagreementrepresentsareassertionofAmerica’ssovereignty.”“AndexitingtheagreementprotectstheUnitedStatesfromfutureintrusionsontheUnitedStates'sovereigntyandmassivefuturelegalliability.Believeme,wehavemassivelegalliabilityifwestayin.”
TheUSgovernmentparticipatedfullyinthenegotiationoftheParisAgreement.ThePresident,inhiscapacityasanelectedrepresentativeoftheUnitedStates,acceptedtheParisAgreement.Thegreatmajorityofinternationalagreementsinrecenttimeshavebeenenactedbyexecutiveaction,ratherthanthroughCongressionalratification.TheUSmaybeexposedtolawsuitsforitsactionsoritsfailurestoact,whetheritremainsintheParisAgreementorexitstheParisAgreement.ItcanberecalledthatMassachusettsv.EPAwasbroughtby12USStatesandotherpetitioners,arguingthattheEPAhadaresponsibilitytoregulateCO2asapollutant.TheStateswererecognizedashavingstandingtosue,duetoinjuriesrelatedtotheimpactsofCO2emissions.InJulianav.UnitedStates,21youthplaintiffsaresuingthefederalgovernmentforitsactionsincontributingtoclimatechange,bringingconstitutionalclaimsforviolationsoftherightstolife,libertyandproperty,aswellasthefailuretoprotectpublictrustresources.Thesesortsoflawsuitscanbeexpectedtocontinue.
TheParisAgreementisagainsttheinterestofsomespecificcities/regions(Pittsburgh,Youngstown,Detroit):
“IwaselectedtorepresentthecitizensofPittsburgh,notParis.”“ItistimetoexittheParisAccord.Andtimetopursueanewdealthatprotectstheenvironment,ourcompanies,ourcitizensandourcountry.ItistimetoputYoungstown,Ohio;Detroit,Mich.;andPittsburgh,
FollowingPresidentTrump’sannouncement,PittsburghMayorBillPedutojoinedtheMayorsfor100%CleanEnergycoalition,stating“PittsburghwillnotonlyheedtheguidelinesoftheParisAgreement,wewillworktomovetowards100percentcleanandrenewableenergyforourfuture,oureconomy,andourpeople.”Detroit’sautomotivecompaniesFordandGeneralMotors
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Pa.;alongwithmanymanyotherlocationsinourcountry,beforeParis,France.ItistimetomakeAmericagreatagain.”
quicklyrespondedtoPresidentTrump’sdecision,confirmingtheircommitmenttotheenvironmentandtoreducegreenhousegasemissions.ThemayorsofPittsburghandPariswroteajointarticleintheNewYorkTimestohighlighttheircontinuedsupporttheParisAgreement,statingthat“theonlywaytodorightbyPittsburghersandParisiansistoabidebytheprinciplesoftheParisAgreement,whichguaranteesthefuturehealthandprosperityofbothofourcities—andeveryothercityintheworld”.Theyalsojoinedhundredsofothermayors,governors,CEOsanduniversitypresidentsbypledging“WeAreStillIn”.289USmayorssaidinastatementon1stJunethattheywould“adopt,honor,andupholdthecommitmentstothegoalsenshrinedintheParisAgreement.Wewillintensifyeffortstomeeteachofourcities’currentclimategoals,pushfornewactiontomeetthe1.5degreesCelsiustarget,andworktogethertocreatea21stcenturycleanenergyeconomy.”FromtheNPRfactcheck:“AlleghenyCounty,whichencompassesPittsburgh,actuallyvotedforHillaryClintoninNovember—56percentto40percent.AndthecityitselfvotedforClintonbyabout80percent,accordingtoMayorBillPeduto.Trumpdid,however,swampClintoninthesuburbancountiessurroundingPittsburgh.”
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Furtherreading/sources:CAT:http://climateactiontracker.org/countries/usa.htmlTheConversation:https://theconversation.com/will-the-paris-agreement-still-be-able-to-deliver-after-the-us-withdrawal-78727BMUBfactcheck:http://www.bmub.bund.de/en/topics/climate-energy/climate/international-climate-policy/paris-agreement/fact-check/FactCheck.org:http://www.factcheck.org/2017/06/factchecking-trumps-climate-speech/FinancialTimesfactcheck(paywall):https://ig.ft.com/trump-paris-agreement-speech-annotator/Politifact:http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2017/jun/01/fact-checking-donald-trumps-statement-withdrawing-/ScientificAmericanfact-check:https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/factcheck-shows-trumps-climate-speech-was-full-of-misleading-statements/?WT.mc_id=SA_FB_ENGYSUS_NEWS
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Annex:SpeechbyPresidentTrumpontheParisAgreementExtractsfromthespeechincludedintheabovetablehavebeenhighlighted.1stJune2017,3:32P.M.EDT,RoseGardenTHEPRESIDENT:Thankyouverymuch.(Applause.)Thankyou.IwouldliketobeginbyaddressingtheterroristattackinManila.We’recloselymonitoringthesituation,andIwillcontinuetogiveupdatesifanythinghappensduringthisperiodoftime.Butitisreallyverysadastowhat’sgoingonthroughouttheworldwithterror.Ourthoughtsandourprayersarewithallofthoseaffected.
BeforewediscusstheParisAccord,I’dliketobeginwithanupdateonourtremendous--absolutelytremendous--economicprogresssinceElectionDayonNovember8th.Theeconomyisstartingtocomeback,andvery,veryrapidly.We’veadded$3.3trillioninstockmarketvaluetooureconomy,andmorethanamillionprivatesectorjobs.
Ihavejustreturnedfromatripoverseaswhereweconcludednearly$350billionofmilitaryandeconomicdevelopmentfortheUnitedStates,creatinghundredsofthousandsofjobs.Itwasavery,verysuccessfultrip,believeme.(Applause.)Thankyou.Thankyou.
InmymeetingsattheG7,wehavetakenhistoricstepstodemandfairandreciprocaltradethatgivesAmericansalevelplayingfieldagainstothernations.We’realsoworkingveryhardforpeaceintheMiddleEast,andperhapsevenpeacebetweentheIsraelisandthePalestinians.Ourattacksonterrorismaregreatlysteppedup--andyouseethat,youseeitallover--fromthepreviousadministration,includinggettingmanyothercountriestomakemajorcontributionstothefightagainstterror.Big,bigcontributionsarebeingmadebycountriesthatweren’tdoingsomuchintheformofcontribution.
Onebyone,wearekeepingthepromisesImadetotheAmericanpeopleduringmycampaignforPresident–-whetherit’scuttingjob-killingregulations;appointingandconfirmingatremendousSupremeCourtjustice;puttinginplacetoughnewethicsrules;achievingarecordreductioninillegalimmigrationonoursouthernborder;orbringingjobs,plants,andfactoriesbackintotheUnitedStatesatnumberswhichnooneuntilthispointthoughtevenpossible.Andbelieveme,we’vejustbegun.Thefruitsofourlaborwillbeseenveryshortlyevenmoreso.
Ontheseissuesandsomanymore,we’refollowingthroughonourcommitments.AndIdon’twantanythingtogetinourway.Iamfightingeverydayforthegreatpeopleofthiscountry.Therefore,inordertofulfillmysolemndutytoprotectAmericaanditscitizens,theUnitedStateswillwithdrawfrom
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theParisClimateAccord--(applause)--thankyou,thankyou--butbeginnegotiationstoreentereithertheParisAccordorareallyentirelynewtransactionontermsthatarefairtotheUnitedStates,itsbusinesses,itsworkers,itspeople,itstaxpayers.Sowe’regettingout.Butwewillstarttonegotiate,andwewillseeifwecanmakeadealthat’sfair.Andifwecan,that’sgreat.Andifwecan’t,that’sfine.(Applause.)AsPresident,IcanputnootherconsiderationbeforethewellbeingofAmericancitizens.TheParisClimateAccordissimplythelatestexampleofWashingtonenteringintoanagreementthatdisadvantagestheUnitedStatestotheexclusivebenefitofothercountries,leavingAmericanworkers--whoIlove--andtaxpayerstoabsorbthecostintermsoflostjobs,lowerwages,shutteredfactories,andvastlydiminishedeconomicproduction.
Thus,asoftoday,theUnitedStateswillceaseallimplementationofthenon-bindingParisAccordandthedraconianfinancialandeconomicburdenstheagreementimposesonourcountry.Thisincludesendingtheimplementationofthenationallydeterminedcontributionand,veryimportantly,theGreenClimateFundwhichiscostingtheUnitedStatesavastfortune.
CompliancewiththetermsoftheParisAccordandtheonerousenergyrestrictionsithasplacedontheUnitedStatescouldcostAmericaasmuchas2.7millionlostjobsby2025accordingtotheNationalEconomicResearchAssociates.Thisincludes440,000fewermanufacturingjobs--notwhatweneed--believeme,thisisnotwhatweneed--includingautomobilejobs,andthefurtherdecimationofvitalAmericanindustriesonwhichcountlesscommunitiesrely.Theyrelyforsomuch,andwewouldbegivingthemsolittle.
Accordingtothissamestudy,by2040,compliancewiththecommitmentsputintoplacebythepreviousadministrationwouldcutproductionforthefollowingsectors:paperdown12percent;cementdown23percent;ironandsteeldown38percent;coal--andIhappentolovethecoalminers--down86percent;naturalgasdown31percent.Thecosttotheeconomyatthistimewouldbecloseto$3trillioninlostGDPand6.5millionindustrialjobs,whilehouseholdswouldhave$7,000lessincomeand,inmanycases,muchworsethanthat.
Notonlydoesthisdealsubjectourcitizenstoharsheconomicrestrictions,itfailstoliveuptoourenvironmentalideals.Assomeonewhocaresdeeplyabouttheenvironment,whichIdo,IcannotingoodconsciencesupportadealthatpunishestheUnitedStates--whichiswhatitdoes-–theworld’sleaderinenvironmentalprotection,whileimposingnomeaningfulobligationsontheworld’sleadingpolluters.
Forexample,undertheagreement,Chinawillbeabletoincreasetheseemissionsbyastaggeringnumberofyears--13.Theycandowhatevertheywantfor13years.Notus.Indiamakesitsparticipationcontingentonreceivingbillionsandbillionsandbillionsofdollarsinforeignaidfromdevelopedcountries.Therearemanyotherexamples.ButthebottomlineisthattheParisAccordisveryunfair,atthehighestlevel,totheUnitedStates.
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Further,whilethecurrentagreementeffectivelyblocksthedevelopmentofcleancoalinAmerica--whichitdoes,andtheminesarestartingtoopenup.We’rehavingabigopeningintwoweeks.Pennsylvania,Ohio,WestVirginia,somanyplaces.Abigopeningofabrand-newmine.It’sunheardof.Formany,manyyears,thathasn’thappened.TheyaskedmeifI’dgo.I’mgoingtotry.
Chinawillbeallowedtobuildhundredsofadditionalcoalplants.Sowecan’tbuildtheplants,buttheycan,accordingtothisagreement.Indiawillbeallowedtodoubleitscoalproductionby2020.Thinkofit:Indiacandoubletheircoalproduction.We’resupposedtogetridofours.EvenEuropeisallowedtocontinueconstructionofcoalplants.
Inshort,theagreementdoesn’teliminatecoaljobs,itjusttransfersthosejobsoutofAmericaandtheUnitedStates,andshipsthemtoforeigncountries.
ThisagreementislessabouttheclimateandmoreaboutothercountriesgainingafinancialadvantageovertheUnitedStates.TherestoftheworldapplaudedwhenwesignedtheParisAgreement--theywentwild;theyweresohappy--forthesimplereasonthatitputourcountry,theUnitedStatesofAmerica,whichwealllove,atavery,verybigeconomicdisadvantage.Acynicwouldsaytheobviousreasonforeconomiccompetitorsandtheirwishtoseeusremainintheagreementissothatwecontinuetosufferthisself-inflictedmajoreconomicwound.Wewouldfinditveryhardtocompetewithothercountriesfromotherpartsoftheworld.
Wehaveamongthemostabundantenergyreservesontheplanet,sufficienttoliftmillionsofAmerica’spoorestworkersoutofpoverty.Yet,underthisagreement,weareeffectivelyputtingthesereservesunderlockandkey,takingawaythegreatwealthofournation--it'sgreatwealth,it'sphenomenalwealth;notsolongago,wehadnoideawehadsuchwealth--andleavingmillionsandmillionsoffamiliestrappedinpovertyandjoblessness.
TheagreementisamassiveredistributionofUnitedStateswealthtoothercountries.At1percentgrowth,renewablesourcesofenergycanmeetsomeofourdomesticdemand,butat3or4percentgrowth,whichIexpect,weneedallformsofavailableAmericanenergy,orourcountry--(applause)--willbeatgraveriskofbrownoutsandblackouts,ourbusinesseswillcometoahaltinmanycases,andtheAmericanfamilywillsuffertheconsequencesintheformoflostjobsandaverydiminishedqualityoflife.
EveniftheParisAgreementwereimplementedinfull,withtotalcompliancefromallnations,itisestimateditwouldonlyproduceatwo-tenthsofonedegree--thinkofthat;thismuch--Celsiusreductioninglobaltemperaturebytheyear2100.Tiny,tinyamount.Infact,14daysofcarbonemissionsfromChinaalonewouldwipeoutthegainsfromAmerica--andthisisanincrediblestatistic--wouldtotallywipeoutthegainsfromAmerica'sexpectedreductionsintheyear2030,afterwehavehadtospendbillionsandbillionsofdollars,lostjobs,closedfactories,andsufferedmuchhigherenergycostsforourbusinessesandforourhomes.
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AstheWallStreetJournalwrotethismorning:“TherealityisthatwithdrawingisinAmerica’seconomicinterestandwon’tmattermuchtotheclimate.”TheUnitedStates,undertheTrumpadministration,willcontinuetobethecleanestandmostenvironmentallyfriendlycountryonEarth.We'llbethecleanest.We'regoingtohavethecleanestair.We'regoingtohavethecleanestwater.Wewillbeenvironmentallyfriendly,butwe'renotgoingtoputourbusinessesoutofworkandwe'renotgoingtoloseourjobs.We'regoingtogrow;we'regoingtogrowrapidly.(Applause.)
AndIthinkyoujustread--itjustcameoutminutesago,thesmallbusinessreport--smallbusinessesasofjustnowarebooming,hiringpeople.Oneofthebestreportsthey'veseeninmanyyears.
I’mwillingtoimmediatelyworkwithDemocraticleaderstoeithernegotiateourwaybackintoParis,underthetermsthatarefairtotheUnitedStatesanditsworkers,ortonegotiateanewdealthatprotectsourcountryanditstaxpayers.(Applause.)
Soiftheobstructionistswanttogettogetherwithme,let’smakethemnon-obstructionists.Wewillallsitdown,andwewillgetbackintothedeal.Andwe’llmakeitgood,andwewon’tbeclosingupourfactories,andwewon’tbelosingourjobs.Andwe’llsitdownwiththeDemocratsandallofthepeoplethatrepresenteithertheParisAccordorsomethingthatwecandothat'smuchbetterthantheParisAccord.AndIthinkthepeopleofourcountrywillbethrilled,andIthinkthenthepeopleoftheworldwillbethrilled.Butuntilwedothat,we'reoutoftheagreement.
IwillworktoensurethatAmericaremainstheworld’sleaderonenvironmentalissues,butunderaframeworkthatisfairandwheretheburdensandresponsibilitiesareequallysharedamongthemanynationsallaroundtheworld.
Noresponsibleleadercanputtheworkers--andthepeople--oftheircountryatthisdebilitatingandtremendousdisadvantage.ThefactthattheParisdealhamstringstheUnitedStates,whileempoweringsomeoftheworld’stoppollutingcountries,shoulddispelanydoubtastotherealreasonwhyforeignlobbyistswishtokeepourmagnificentcountrytiedupandbounddownbythisagreement:It’stogivetheircountryaneconomicedgeovertheUnitedStates.That'snotgoingtohappenwhileI’mPresident.I’msorry.(Applause.)
MyjobasPresidentistodoeverythingwithinmypowertogiveAmericaalevelplayingfieldandtocreatetheeconomic,regulatoryandtaxstructuresthatmakeAmericathemostprosperousandproductivecountryonEarth,andwiththehigheststandardoflivingandthehigheststandardofenvironmentalprotection.
OurtaxbillismovingalonginCongress,andIbelieveit’sdoingverywell.Ithinkalotofpeoplewillbeverypleasantlysurprised.TheRepublicansareworkingvery,veryhard.We’dlovetohavesupportfromtheDemocrats,butwemayhavetogoitalone.Butit’sgoingverywell.
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TheParisAgreementhandicapstheUnitedStateseconomyinordertowinpraisefromtheveryforeigncapitalsandglobalactiviststhathavelongsoughttogainwealthatourcountry’sexpense.Theydon’tputAmericafirst.Ido,andIalwayswill.(Applause.)
ThesamenationsaskingustostayintheagreementarethecountriesthathavecollectivelycostAmericatrillionsofdollarsthroughtoughtradepracticesand,inmanycases,laxcontributionstoourcriticalmilitaryalliance.Youseewhat’shappening.It’sprettyobvioustothosethatwanttokeepanopenmind.
AtwhatpointdoesAmericagetdemeaned?Atwhatpointdotheystartlaughingatusasacountry?Wewantfairtreatmentforitscitizens,andwewantfairtreatmentforourtaxpayers.Wedon’twantotherleadersandothercountrieslaughingatusanymore.Andtheywon’tbe.Theywon’tbe.
IwaselectedtorepresentthecitizensofPittsburgh,notParis.(Applause.)IpromisedIwouldexitorrenegotiateanydealwhichfailstoserveAmerica’sinterests.Manytradedealswillsoonbeunderrenegotiation.Veryrarelydowehaveadealthatworksforthiscountry,butthey’llsoonbeunderrenegotiation.Theprocesshasbegunfromdayone.Butnowwe’redowntobusiness.
BeyondthesevereenergyrestrictionsinflictedbytheParisAccord,itincludesyetanotherschemetoredistributewealthoutoftheUnitedStatesthroughtheso-calledGreenClimateFund--nicename--whichcallsfordevelopedcountriestosend$100billiontodevelopingcountriesallontopofAmerica’sexistingandmassiveforeignaidpayments.Sowe’regoingtobepayingbillionsandbillionsandbillionsofdollars,andwe’realreadywayaheadofanybodyelse.Manyoftheothercountrieshaven’tspentanything,andmanyofthemwillneverpayonedime.
TheGreenFundwouldlikelyobligatetheUnitedStatestocommitpotentiallytensofbillionsofdollarsofwhichtheUnitedStateshasalreadyhandedover$1billion--nobodyelseisevenclose;mostofthemhaven’tevenpaidanything--includingfundsraidedoutofAmerica’sbudgetforthewaragainstterrorism.That’swheretheycame.Believeme,theydidn’tcomefromme.TheycamejustbeforeIcameintooffice.Notgood.Andnotgoodthewaytheytookthemoney.
In2015,theUnitedNation'sdepartingtopclimateofficialsreportedlydescribedthe$100billionperyearas“peanuts,”andstatedthat"the$100billionisthetailthatwagsthedog."In2015,theGreenClimateFund’sexecutivedirectorreportedlystatedthatestimatedfundingneededwouldincreaseto$450billionperyearafter2020.Andnobodyevenknowswherethemoneyisgoingto.Nobodyhasbeenabletosay,whereisitgoingto?
Ofcourse,theworld’stoppollutershavenoaffirmativeobligationsundertheGreenFund,whichweterminated.Americais$20trillionindebt.Cash-strappedcitiescannothireenoughpoliceofficersorfixvitalinfrastructure.Millionsofourcitizensareoutofwork.Andyet,undertheParisAccord,
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billionsofdollarsthatoughttobeinvestedrighthereinAmericawillbesenttotheverycountriesthathavetakenourfactoriesandourjobsawayfromus.Sothinkofthat.
Thereareseriouslegalandconstitutionalissuesaswell.ForeignleadersinEurope,Asia,andacrosstheworldshouldnothavemoretosaywithrespecttotheU.S.economythanourowncitizensandtheirelectedrepresentatives.Thus,ourwithdrawalfromtheagreementrepresentsareassertionofAmerica’ssovereignty.(Applause.)OurConstitutionisuniqueamongallthenationsoftheworld,anditismyhighestobligationandgreatesthonortoprotectit.AndIwill.
StayingintheagreementcouldalsoposeseriousobstaclesfortheUnitedStatesaswebegintheprocessofunlockingtherestrictionsonAmerica’sabundantenergyreserves,whichwehavestartedverystrongly.ItwouldoncehavebeenunthinkablethataninternationalagreementcouldpreventtheUnitedStatesfromconductingitsowndomesticeconomicaffairs,butthisisthenewrealitywefaceifwedonotleavetheagreementorifwedonotnegotiateafarbetterdeal.
Therisksgrowashistoricallytheseagreementsonlytendtobecomemoreandmoreambitiousovertime.Inotherwords,theParisframeworkisastartingpoint--asbadasitis--notanendpoint.AndexitingtheagreementprotectstheUnitedStatesfromfutureintrusionsontheUnitedStates'sovereigntyandmassivefuturelegalliability.Believeme,wehavemassivelegalliabilityifwestayin.
AsPresident,Ihaveoneobligation,andthatobligationistotheAmericanpeople.TheParisAccordwouldundermineoureconomy,hamstringourworkers,weakenoursovereignty,imposeunacceptablelegalrisks,andputusatapermanentdisadvantagetotheothercountriesoftheworld.ItistimetoexittheParisAccord--(applause)--andtimetopursueanewdealthatprotectstheenvironment,ourcompanies,ourcitizens,andourcountry.
ItistimetoputYoungstown,Ohio,Detroit,Michigan,andPittsburgh,Pennsylvania--alongwithmany,manyotherlocationswithinourgreatcountry--beforeParis,France.ItistimetomakeAmericagreatagain.(Applause.)Thankyou.Thankyou.Thankyouverymuch.
Thankyouverymuch.Veryimportant.
