Argentina’s Possible Exit from the Paris Climate Agreement: Implications and Risks
Javier Milei’s administration is pondering an exit from the Paris Climate Agreement. This follows a premature withdrawal from COP29 and his dismissal of climate concerns as exaggerated. The Paris Agreement, established in 2016, aims to cap global warming. Exiting could have severe economic implications for Argentina, including loss of international financing and trade isolation.
Argentina’s President, Javier Milei, is contemplating a potential withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, reminiscent of former US President Donald Trump’s 2025 exit. This consideration follows Argentina’s early exit from the COP29 UN Climate Summit in November 2024, which raised alarms about the country’s commitment to international climate accords. Milei has characterized the climate crisis as a “socialist lie,” while Foreign Minister Gerardo Werthein indicated that exiting the UNFCCC is under consideration, although the government recognizes climate change as part of natural cycles.
The Paris Climate Agreement, adopted in December 2015 and effective starting November 4, 2016, unites 196 parties in a legally binding commitment to combat climate change. Its objectives aim to restrict global temperature rise to well below 2 degrees Celsius, with an aspirational limit of 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. Signatories are required to submit increasingly ambitious national climate action plans every five years.
Should Argentina exit the Paris Agreement, the consequences could extend beyond national borders, potentially encouraging other nations to follow suit and undermining global climate efforts. Experts caution that such a move could isolate Argentina economically, reducing its attractiveness as a trading partner and limiting access to international climate financing. Adherence to the Paris Agreement may ultimately prove essential for sustainable economic development.
Original Source: www.outlookbusiness.com
