Johannesburg: The Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr. Dion George, has urged the United States to honor its international commitments and reconsider its intended withdrawal from the Paris Agreement.

According to South African Government News Agency, Dr. George expressed deep regret over reports that President Donald Trump has initiated the process for the US to exit the Paris Agreement once again. He emphasized the critical role the US has played in negotiating the agreement and warned that its withdrawal undermines global responsibility, multilateralism, international law, and trust among nations.

The Paris Agreement aims to enhance the global response to climate change by limiting the rise in global temperature this century to below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, with efforts to limit it to 1.5°C. The agreement is based on a shared understanding of the global responsibility to act against climate change, acknowledging that countries have contributed differently to the problem and have varied abilities to respond.

The Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment highlighted the historical significance of the US’s contribution to global emissions, which remains the highest cumulative historical figure. The department stressed the moral obligation of the US to lead in emissions reduction and to support developing economies in their climate efforts, as well as aiding poorer nations affected by climate change.

The department referenced the recent 29th United Nations Conference of the Parties (COP 29), where the US committed to reducing emissions with a mitigation target for 2035. However, these commitments now seem uncertain. The department commended US citizens, states, cities, scientific organizations, and civil society for their ongoing efforts to combat climate change, despite federal decisions.

South Africa reaffirmed its commitment to the goals of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement. The department stressed the urgency of climate action, especially after the world exceeded the 1.5°C global warming threshold in 2024, which signals the need for immediate action to avoid severe climate impacts. The international community views climate change as the most significant threat to health, wellbeing, and socio-economic development, disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable populations.