NEW DELHI: The United States has sent an official communication to United Nations regarding its intent to withdraw from Paris Agreement, new climate regime agreed by the world to cut global emissions, and said that it is open to re-engaging if the US can identify terms that are more favourable to the country and its people.
Responding to US withdrawal in June, India had said that it is committed to preserving the climate for the sake of future generations.
The US department of state in a communication to United Nations said that it supports a balanced approach to climate policy that lowers emissions while promoting economic growth and ensuring energy security.
“We will continue to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions through innovation and technology breakthroughs, and work with other countries to help them access and use fossil fuels more cleanly and efficiently and deploy renewable and other clean energy sources, given the importance of energy access and security in many nationally determined contributions,” it said.
It further said that the country will continue to participate in international climate change negotiations and meetings, including the 23rd Conference of the Parties (COP-23) of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, to protect US interests and ensure all future policy options remain open to the administration.
Under article 28 of the Paris Agreement, a Party may withdraw at any time after three years from the date on which the Agreement has entered into force for that Party, and such withdrawal takes effect upon expiry of one year from the date of receipt by the Depositary of the notification of withdrawal.
The United States accepted the Paris Agreement on September 3, 2016, and the Agreement entered into force for the United States on November 4, 2016.