Trump’s exit from Paris Climate Deal: A devastating blow to the world’s most vulnerable nations

One of the first poor decisions Trump made was pulling the US out of the Paris Climate Agreement

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When you walk out of your house, no matter the weather, what’s the first thing you notice?

For me, I always notice how the climate around me has changed, and how I see its effects everywhere I go and in everything I do. From the hottest summers, which, by the way, leave me with excruciating period pain due to how my hormones are affected, to the coldest winters filled with waves of smog that put many pregnant women at risk. If this isn't the first thing you notice in the morning, perhaps it's time you should start paying attention, since you come from a third-world country, and the first-world countries don’t seem to care so much about us. 

Donald Trump took charge of the United States last week, and one of the first poor decisions he made was pulling the US out of the Paris Climate Agreement, which is one of the many steps the world has taken to improve the climate. This isn't the first time he has made such a decision; it's a pattern his presidency has followed for a long time. 

What is the Paris Climate Deal?

The Paris Climate Agreement is a global pact designed to address climate change by limiting global warming. Signed in 2015 by nearly every country, it sets clear goals to reduce the impact of climate change.

At its core, the agreement aims to keep the global temperature rise this century well below 2°C (3.6°F) above pre-industrial levels, with a more ambitious goal of limiting it to 1.5°C (2.7°F). Even a small rise in temperature can lead to severe weather, rising sea levels, and other environmental crises. This target highlights the urgent need to curb emissions and prevent further damage.

To meet these goals, each country committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions, particularly from burning fossil fuels. Every nation created a Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) — a plan tailored to their unique needs and circumstances, outlining how they will cut emissions and prepare for climate impacts.

Wealthier countries also pledged to support developing nations by providing financial aid and technology, ensuring that all countries, regardless of wealth, can play a role in combating climate change.

The agreement isn’t legally binding, but it creates a framework for nations to regularly review their progress and increase their efforts over time. The idea is to work together, holding each other accountable while supporting global efforts to protect the planet.

What is the United States role in it? 

In 2017, President Donald Trump made the controversial decision to pull the United States out of the Paris Climate Agreement. His administration argued that the deal would harm the U.S. economy, particularly industries like coal and manufacturing, which could face increased regulations. Trump’s move was in line with his "America First" policy, which prioritized national interests over global commitments. He argued that the deal unfairly placed burdens on the U.S., while allowing other major emitters like China and India to set less ambitious targets. His decision was widely criticized both domestically and internationally, with many seeing it as a setback in the global fight against climate change.

Under Trump’s administration, the US became one of the few countries to officially withdraw from the agreement. Despite this, some states, cities, and companies within the US continued to uphold the principles of the Paris deal, with efforts to reduce emissions and invest in renewable energy. The formal withdrawal process took nearly four years to complete, but in 2021, President Joe Biden quickly reversed Trump’s decision, rejoining the agreement on his first day in office.

Now, notably, the US is one of the largest contributors to global greenhouse gas emissions. Although its share has decreased over the years, it still produces approximately 15-20% of global emissions. The US is heavily reliant on fossil fuels, with sectors like transportation, electricity generation, and industry being the largest sources of emissions. 

The country’s historical emissions have also played a role in the climate crisis, as it was one of the first industrialized nations to greatly increase carbon emissions during the 20th century. Despite efforts to reduce emissions in recent years, such as transitioning to renewable energy and improving energy efficiency, the US remains a major player in the global climate equation.

How does that affect third-world countries?

“The US’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and refusal to provide its fair share of climate finance leave vulnerable nations like Pakistan without the critical resources needed to adapt to climate impacts and address loss and damage from disasters such as floods and heatwaves,” said Harjeet Singh, Climate Activist and Strategic Advisor, Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty from India. 

India is the third-largest contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, but its per-person emissions are much lower than those of developed countries. While its total emissions are high, India’s share of historical emissions is smaller since its economic growth began later than many major economies.

A couple of female kiln workers walk through in extreme summer.

Similarly, Pakistan contributes less than 1% of the world's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. However, it is one of the most vulnerable countries to the effects of climate change. Lahore, the heart of Pakistan was immersed in smog this winter, whereas Karachi, the metropolitan city experiences one of the harshest summers every year. 

A male kiln worker works his way through a harsh heatwave.

“Donald Trump is a right-wing leader; he is bound to do such acts so that he could please his native people. This motive made him do such acts in order to boost his economy and avoid giving funds to developing nations or nations which are most vulnerable to climate change. 3rd world nations do not have enough funds to mitigate the effects of climate change. For example, according to the UN, Pakistan requires 300bn dollars every year to manage the vulnerabilities of climate change,” said Nikhil Jaisani, a Pakistan-based climate activist and a lawyer. 

“China and the USA are responsible for contributing the highest carbon emissions to the atmosphere, if they cut their emissions, they will hurt their economies as will be highlighted by the recent initiative of the ETF which will help in comparing between Funds and Emissions. 

Pakistan contributes less than 1% to the global carbon emissions. Still, Pakistan is among the top 10 nations in the list of most vulnerable countries to climate change,” he added. 

Bangladesh, another third-world country’s contribution to global greenhouse gas emissions is small, but the country is still impacted by climate change. The majority of Bangladesh's emissions come from agriculture and the burning of fossil fuels for power and transportation. 

A woman carries water through the aftermath of a climate-induced disaster in a vulnerable coastal region of Bangladesh.

“As a climate activist, I am deeply concerned about the global repercussions if a major emitter like the United States withdraws from the Paris Climate Agreement (PCA). For countries like Bangladesh, which contribute less than 0.5% to global emissions yet bear the brunt of climate-induced disasters, such a move would be catastrophic,” said Musfiq Ur Rehman, Co-founder of Treevaly,  green-tech startup based in Bangladesh. 

“The absence of a major player in climate action not only weakens international cooperation but also slows funding for third world nations that depend on global solidarity to build resilience. This would be a profound injustice to the developing countries with the lowest carbon emissions rate,” he added. 

Uganda contributes a very small amount to global greenhouse gas emissions, with its total emissions being relatively low compared to other countries, primarily due to its low per capita emissions and reliance on hydropower for electricity generation; the majority of its emissions stem from agriculture and land use change, with the majority of its greenhouse gas emissions coming from the "land use change and forestry" category, accounting for around 60% of its total emissions.

Women walk through a drought-stricken maize field in Uganda, as climate change exacerbates food insecurity and threatens livelihoods in vulnerable regions.

“As one of the world’s largest carbon emitters, the United States has a responsibility to lead the way in ditching fossil fuels and supporting the worldwide transition to zero carbon economies. By refusing to join the international community in taking the necessary steps to drastically reduce greenhouse gas emissions, President Trump is skirting that responsibility. Worst yet, such a move will only encourage other leaders to follow suit,” said Kaburu Anthony, a climate change and SDGs activist based in Uganda. 

It’s important to note that many third-world countries lack the privilege to even start conversations about climate change. They often aren’t fully aware of its impacts, even while facing them, and lack the resources to tackle such a massive issue.

Next time you step outside, take a moment to notice how the environment around you has shifted, something you might overlook in the hustle and bustle of the city. But make no mistake, this change is slowly consuming our future. We might not live to see the dreams we’ve imagined because, either the shifting climate will claim our lives, or the planet will break under the weight of selfish power dynamics.