United States withdraws from core United Nations climate institutions

• United States withdraws from the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, Green Climate Fund and Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.
• Global leaders warn decision will weaken climate cooperation, economic resilience and clean energy investment.
• The move raises concerns for climate finance flows and international scientific collaboration.

The United States has formally withdrawn from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the treaty that underpins global action on climate change, marking one of the most far reaching reversals of international climate engagement by the country to date.

On 7 January the country’s president Donald Trump cut ties with 66 international bodies as he continued a push to dismantle US involvement in global efforts to fight climate change and safeguard biodiversity.

The decision, announced by the White House and confirmed by senior United States officials, includes immediate withdrawal from the Green Climate Fund and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the world’s leading scientific body assessing climate risks and mitigation pathways. United States scientists have historically played a central role in the IPCC’s assessment reports.

United Nations climate chief Simon Stiell described the move as a serious strategic error, warning it would undermine the United States economy, employment and long term prosperity. He said that as climate related disasters intensify globally, disengaging from cooperation and science would leave the country less secure and less competitive.

The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change requires industrialised nations to reduce emissions, report transparently on climate performance and support developing countries through finance and capacity building. Its mechanisms are central to climate finance flows into emerging markets, including across Africa, where adaptation and clean energy investment needs remain substantial.

United States Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent confirmed the country would also exit the governing board of the Green Climate Fund, a key channel for funding renewable energy, resilience and low carbon development projects in developing economies. For African governments and project developers, the withdrawal raises uncertainty over future funding commitments and partnership continuity.

The move has drawn strong criticism from European leaders and environmental groups. European Union climate commissioner Wopke Hoekstra said the UN climate convention underpins global climate action and called the United States retreat regrettable and unfortunate. European Commission Vice President Teresa Ribera said the decision signalled a lack of concern for environmental protection, public health and human suffering.

Former United States Vice President Al Gore warned that withdrawing from the UNFCCC and IPCC risks dismantling decades of diplomatic progress and weakening trust in climate science at a critical moment.

The climate withdrawals form part of a broader policy shift under President Donald Trump, whose administration has exited dozens of international organisations. Nearly half of the affected bodies are linked to the United Nations, including agencies working on climate change, development, gender equality and conflict prevention. The White House said the organisations no longer serve American interests and promote agendas that conflict with national sovereignty and economic priorities.

Although the formal withdrawal from the UNFCCC will take up to a year to complete, the United States has already ceased active participation in many climate forums and declined to attend recent global summits. The administration has also blocked United States scientists from attending international meetings, raising concerns that future IPCC reports could face delays.

For African energy markets, the decision underscores the growing importance of diversified climate finance sources and regional leadership in clean energy deployment. While the United States steps back, other governments like South Africa, Kenya and Egypt plus private sector players are expected to continue advancing renewable energy and climate resilient infrastructure across the continent.

Author: Bryan Groenendaal