President Javier Milei of Argentina is contemplating a potential withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement, which aims to limit greenhouse gas emissions. This consideration marks a significant policy shift, as only one other world leader, former President Donald J. Trump, has previously made a similar decision.
The South American nation is reviewing its participation in the 2015 agreement as part of a comprehensive reassessment of its climate policies, as stated by the country’s foreign minister on Thursday.
This review coincides with expectations of a second withdrawal from the accords by President-elect Trump. Observers express concern that if Milei proceeds with his decision, it might trigger a chain reaction, leading other countries to reevaluate their commitment to the agreement.
According to foreign minister Gerardo Werthein, no definitive decision has yet been made regarding the withdrawal, but the government is reassessing its involvement in a deal that contains numerous elements at odds with Milei’s administration. "We’re re-evaluating our strategy on all matters related to climate change," he stated in an interview. "And so far, we haven’t made any other decision beyond standing down until things are clearer."
Recently, Milei withdrew Argentina’s delegation from the ongoing United Nations climate conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, known as COP29. Previously, he has labeled the climate crisis a "socialist lie."
When questioned about the early withdrawal, Werthein clarified that while the government acknowledges climate change, it views the discussions about its causes as more philosophical. "We consider it to be linked to natural cycles, and we agree on the need to take measures to mitigate it," he explained.
A potential retreat from the climate agreement by Argentina could undermine the collective efforts of the Paris accord, which is crucial in the global endeavor to combat climate change.
Recent research indicates that the Earth has experienced significant warming, primarily due to the combustion of fossil fuels, with the last decade being the hottest on record. The United Nations has set goals for nations to cut emissions by 42 percent by 2030 and 57 percent by 2035 to prevent temperature increases above 1.5 degrees Celsius compared to preindustrial levels. Failure to achieve these reductions could result in a temperature rise of 2.6 to 3.1 degrees Celsius this century, posing severe challenges for societies worldwide.
The United States remains the only country to have formally exited the Paris agreement, which was established in 2015 and has been adopted by 196 nations. When Trump withdrew the U.S. from the accord, no other countries followed suit. President Biden later rejoined and intensified the U.S. commitment to combat climate change.
Trump has indicated his intention to reverse Biden’s policies upon potentially regaining office, promising to significantly ramp up oil and gas production and to withdraw once again from the Paris accords.
The ideological similarities between Milei and Trump are notable, as the Argentine president has openly praised Trump and celebrated his election victory on social media, even sharing AI-generated images of himself alongside the former U.S. president.