U.S. Starts Process to Exit Paris Climate Agreement

U.S. cites unfair economic burden posed on American workers and businesses

The U.S. has officially started the process of exiting the Paris climate agreement, citing an unfair economic burden posed on American workers and businesses, the State Department said Monday.

The Obama administration pledged to aim to reduce carbon-dioxide emissions by 26% to 28% below 2005 levels by the year 2025. Mr. Trump could have chosen to reduce the target, which is set by each country voluntarily, a move that would have weakened the pact but kept the U.S. inside the accord.

… according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Emissions were still down 11.2% from 2005 levels.

In September, Russia joined the growing list of countries that have ratified the treaty. A future president could re-enter the pact. The exit is due to be completed on Nov. 4 next year, a day after the 2020 elections.

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