President Donald Trump has today announced that the US will withdraw from the UN Paris Climate Agreement.

Alex Thier, Executive Director of the Overseas Development Institute, said: “By withdrawing its commitment to the Paris climate agreement, the US has today chosen a far more costly and dangerous path, both at home and abroad.

“Not only is the US the second largest emitter of CO2 in the world, but it has also been the largest donor to supporting other countries to reach their commitments.

“With President Trump pulling back on the promised $2 billion for the UN's Green Climate Fund, which helps poorer countries, unsustainable, polluting investments in things like dirty energy and degradation of land will be with us for generations to come.

“It is now vital that the rest of the international community decisively reaffirms its commitment to the Paris agreement to ensure the world's poorest countries are not left paying a much higher human cost.”

ENDS

For more information or to arrange an interview with Alex Thier please contact James Rush on [email protected] or  +44 (0)7808 791265