Javier Milei’s administration is considering a proposal for Argentina to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, following Donald Trump’s recent announcement of the US exiting the international climate accord. Although no final decision has been reached, sources indicate that Argentina may follow the US’s lead, potentially becoming the second nation to withdraw from the agreement signed by nearly 200 countries.
Senior officials are reviewing an internal memo suggesting a withdrawal, particularly after Argentina pulled its negotiators from last year’s COP29 climate summit and began reassessing its environmental commitments on a global scale. Efforts are being made by civil servants to persuade Milei’s team not to exit the agreement, but one diplomat noted that a departure seems likely.
If the exit proceeds, it would significantly hinder international efforts to combat climate change, as the Paris Agreement seeks to cap global temperature rise well below 2°C, ideally aiming for 1.5°C compared to pre-industrial levels. The environmental division of Argentina’s interior ministry had not provided a response when approached for comments.
Milei, a libertarian who questions the human role in climate change, criticized the global environmental movement during a recent speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos. He described the current environmental ideology as having deviated from its original purpose of enhancing human enjoyment of nature.
While exiting the Paris Agreement would require approval from Argentina’s Congress, Milei has previously utilized emergency decrees to bypass legislative processes during his presidency. Last year was documented as the hottest on record, and scientists have warned that progress towards the temperature goals of the accord is stalling.
A potential withdrawal could jeopardize the EU-Mercosur trade agreement established in December between Europe and Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay, as the contract allows for suspension if one member exits the Paris accord. According to a diplomat, internal staff are attempting to convey the implications of such a step for Argentina, highlighting that while Trump may act unilaterally, similar actions could have repercussions for Argentina.
Additionally, leaving the agreement might complicate Argentina’s application to join the OECD, which promotes environmental policy standards among its members. Critics argue that this move could result in Argentina losing access to international climate-related funding and being excluded from global carbon markets in the future. Countries are expected to submit updated climate plans soon under the Paris Agreement, although many may fail to meet the deadline.
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