The UN climate chief led a chorus of criticism Thursday over President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw the United States from a bedrock climate treaty, calling it a "colossal own goal" that will….
Washington (United States) (AFP) – The UN climate chief led a chorus of criticism Thursday over President Donald Trump's decision to withdraw the United States from a bedrock climate treaty, calling it a "colossal own goal" that will only harm his country.
Trump released a presidential memorandum Wednesday ordering the withdrawal from 66 global organizations and treaties -- roughly half affiliated with the United Nations -- for being "contrary to the interests of the United States.".
Most notable among them is the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which underpins all major international climate agreements.
UNFCCC executive secretary Simon Stiell said Trump's decision would "only harm the US economy, jobs and living standards.".
"It is a colossal own goal which will leave the US less secure and less prosperous," Stiell said in a statement.
His remarks were followed by comments from UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, who said he "regrets" the US decision to withdraw from multiple international bodies, without naming any one organization.
"The United Nations has a responsibility to deliver for those who depend on us, and we will continue to carry out our mandates with determination," Guterres said, while reminding member states of their legal obligations to fund the world body's budget.
Critics warned Trump's move will further isolate the country on the global stage.
"It's critical the United States is a participant in and is actively trying to reduce climate change -- it's the world's largest economy, the world's biggest historical emitter," Jake Schmidt of the Natural Resources Defense Council told AFP, noting that the United States would be the first of 198 parties to ever leav...
The treaty adopted in 1992 is a global pact by nations to cooperate to drive down planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
"The decision by the world's largest economy and second-largest emitter to retreat from it is regrettable and unfortunate," European Union climate chief Wopke Hoekstra said.
Trump has thrown the full weight of his domestic policy behind fossil fuels and derides climate science as a "hoax.".
The political importance lies in whether the issue moves from public comment into formal action, party response, court record, election authority notice or administrative decision.
For public institutions and political groups, the next test is whether the issue remains a public argument or turns into a formal response, legal proceeding, administrative instruction or election-related communication.
The source page records the update at 08 Jan 2026, 06:47 AM, and the story should be followed for any later corrections or clarifications.
