January 22, 2025 (SEOUL) – The newly inaugurated Trump Administration announced its decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement. This marks the second time the U.S. has taken such a step, following a similar withdrawal during President Trump’s first term, which was later reversed by the Biden administration in 2021. This recent development jeopardizes global efforts to combat the escalating climate crisis. 

The U.S. had made strides in advancing climate policies, including banning offshore oil and gas drilling in sensitive areas and restricting liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports to reduce fossil fuel dependence. Withdrawing from the Paris Agreement not only undermines domestic progress but also weakens the global resolve to meet climate targets. 

The U.S.-Korea energy relationship has historically been a key component of bilateral cooperation, with South Korea emerging as a major importer of U.S. LNG. Recently, South Korea announced plans to increase imports of U.S. oil and gas, a move that could deepen energy ties but also risk prolonging reliance on fossil fuels. These transactions risk locking both nations into economically risky high-carbon infrastructure, potentially leading to stranded assets and long-term financial instability. Such investments could divert resources away from the urgent need for renewables and clean technologies, which are not only crucial for addressing climate change but also for fostering sustainable economic growth. 

This shift in U.S. policy also threatens to weaken its leadership in the rapidly expanding low-carbon economy, a sector where both countries have forged significant partnerships. South Korea and the U.S. have long benefited from robust economic collaboration, including in key industries such as electric vehicles, battery manufacturing, and renewable energy technology. Joint efforts in these sectors not only drive innovation but also create jobs and strengthen supply chains for a sustainable future. Ambitious climate policies are not only essential for addressing the climate crisis but also for ensuring economic competitiveness in an era defined by the transition to net-zero. 

The U.S. should reconsider its decision and rejoin the global pact that goes beyond a single nation, recognizing that climate leadership is not only a moral imperative but also an economic and strategic opportunity. Time is of the essence, and the world cannot afford further delays in the fight against climate change.

Joojin Kim, CEO of Solutions for Our Climate said: 

"The U.S. decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement risks not only undermining global climate efforts but also missing significant economic opportunities. The U.S. and South Korea have a strong history of collaboration, and the transition to a net-zero economy offers immense potential for innovation, investment, and job creation. To remain competitive in the rapidly growing low-carbon economy, both nations must uphold ambitious climate policies that drive progress, rather than retreat, ensuring a sustainable and prosperous future for all." 

ENDS.   

Editor's Notes

Below is the Executive Order overturning 60+ Biden EOs, including these climate and energy-related orders:

• Executive Order 13990 of January 20, 2021 (Protecting Public Health and the Environment and Restoring Science To Tackle the Climate Crisis).

• Executive Order 14008 of January 27, 2021 (Tackling the Climate Crisis at Home and Abroad).

• Executive Order 14027 of May 7, 2021 (Establishment of the Climate Change Support Office).

• Executive Order 14030 of May 20, 2021 (Climate-Related Financial Risk).

• Executive Order 14037 of August 5, 2021 (Strengthening American Leadership in Clean Cars and Trucks).

• Executive Order 14052 of November 15, 2021 (Implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act).

• Executive Order 14057 of December 8, 2021 (Catalyzing Clean Energy Industries and Jobs Through Federal Sustainability).

• Executive Order 14082 of September 12, 2022 (Implementation of the Energy and Infrastructure Provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022).

• The Presidential Memorandum of March 13, 2023 (Withdrawal of Certain Areas off the United States Arctic Coast of the Outer Continental Shelf from Oil or Gas Leasing).

• The Presidential Memorandum of January 6, 2025 (Withdrawal of Certain Areas of the United States Outer Continental Shelf from Oil or Natural Gas Leasing).

About SFOC

Solutions for Our Climate (SFOC) is an independent nonprofit organization that works to accelerate global greenhouse gas emissions reduction and energy transition. SFOC leverages research, litigation, community organizing, and strategic communications to deliver practical climate solutions and build movements for change.    

For media inquiries, please reach out to Yi Hyun Kim, Communications Officer, at yihyun.kim@forourclimate.org.