Why in the News?

US President Donald Trump has signed a presidential memorandum withdrawing the United States from 66 international organisations, including the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). This makes the US the first country to formally exit the UNFCCC.

United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)

The UNFCCC is the foundational global treaty that governs international cooperation on climate change. It provides the legal and institutional framework under which global climate negotiations take place.

Established

• Adopted in 1992 at the Rio Earth Summit
• Entered into force in 1994
• Nearly universal membership among UN countries

Key role

• Organises annual Conference of Parties (COP) climate negotiations
• Hosts the Paris Agreement, which aims to limit global warming
• Establishes systems for
  • Emissions reporting
  • Transparency and accountability
  • Climate finance mechanisms
  • Carbon markets and rule making

Legal implications of US withdrawal

• Withdrawal takes effect one year after formal notice
• Exit from UNFCCC automatically means exit from the Paris Agreement
• US will no longer be a Party to COP negotiations
• Can attend meetings only as an observer, without bargaining rights

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)

The IPCC is the UN body that assesses and synthesises global scientific research on climate change, its impacts, and mitigation and adaptation options.

Functions

• Produces comprehensive assessment reports
• Provides scientific benchmarks for climate negotiations
• Informs global and national climate policy

Impact of US exit

• Reduces US influence over global climate science assessments
• Limits formal nomination of US experts to IPCC author teams
• US scientists may still contribute as reviewers or through non government nominations

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