Putting America First in International Environmental Agreements
This executive order, issued by President Donald J. Trump and signed in January 2025, directs a comprehensive rollback of the United States’ engagement with international environmental agreements under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), including and especially the Paris Agreement. It orders immediate withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, withdrawal from any UNFCCC commitments, and the revocation of any U.S. financial commitments connected to those frameworks. It also repeals the U.S. International Climate Finance Plan and requires federal agencies to report on actions taken to rescind policies tied to that plan. The order frames these moves as a shift to prioritize American economic interests, energy policy, and fiscal restraint in all international energy engagements, with specific steps to unwind funding and inform the President’s economic and national security offices. It emphasizes that the actions are to be carried out within existing law and appropriations and do not create enforceable rights. In short, the order pulls back from international climate commitments, redirects climate-related funding and policy toward domestic economic goals, and imposes reporting requirements to ensure the policymaking process aligns with those objectives.
Key Points
- 1Sec. 2 Policy: Reaffirms that international environmental engagement should prioritize the United States’ economy, jobs, and prosperity, and should not unduly burden the United States.
- 2Sec. 3(a)-(c) Immediate withdrawal actions:
- 3- Withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement under the UNFCCC.
- 4- Withdraw from any other agreement or commitment made under the UNFCCC.
- 5- Revoke or stop any U.S. financial commitments made under the UNFCCC.
- 6Sec. 3(d) Reporting requirement: After completing the withdrawal steps, the U.S. Ambassador to the UN, with key Cabinet officials, must certify a report detailing any further actions needed to achieve the policy goals.
- 7Sec. 3(e) Climate finance plan revocation: The U.S. International Climate Finance Plan is revoked; the Director of the OMB must issue guidance within 10 days to rescind frozen funds.
- 8Sec. 3(f) Agency action reports: Within 30 days, numerous cabinet secretaries and agency heads must report to the White House about actions taken to revoke or rescind policies implemented to advance the Climate Finance Plan.
- 9Sec. 3(g) Energy policy emphasis: Future international energy engagements must prioritize economic efficiency, American prosperity, consumer choice, and fiscal restraint.
- 10Sec. 4 General provisions: The order does not override other laws or budget authorities, must be implemented consistent with law and appropriations, and does not create enforceable rights.