South Africa’s Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment, Dr. Dion George, has urged the United States to reconsider its decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, warning of the global consequences of the move.
The appeal follows reports that US President Donald Trump has begun the process to withdraw the country from the international climate accord, a decision Dr. George described as damaging to international cooperation and trust.
“The Paris Agreement represents a unified global effort to combat climate change. The US played a pivotal role in its negotiation, and this withdrawal is an abdication of a shared responsibility,” George said in a statement.
The Paris Agreement aims to limit global temperature rises to below 2°C, with efforts to cap the increase at 1.5°C. The South African minister stressed the historical role of the US as one of the largest contributors to global emissions and its moral obligation to lead global efforts in addressing climate change.
South Africa’s Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment noted that the US recently committed at COP29 to reducing emissions by 2035. The department expressed concern that these commitments may no longer be upheld, warning that this could undermine global progress.
The department also acknowledged the efforts of US states, cities, businesses, and civil society in advancing climate action despite federal decisions, recognizing their role in supporting innovative solutions to the climate crisis.
