COP23: US open to Paris Agreement if terms more favourable

Bonn, Germany, Nov 17: United States has again expressed its desire to withdraw from the Paris Agreement at the earliest opportunity, however the country pointed out that it remained "open to the possibility of rejoining at a later date under terms more favorable to the American people."Making her statement at the COP23 here on Thursday, Acting Assistant Secretary (Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs), Judith G Garber, said the US was pleased to be engaging with other Parties at the 23rd Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change; however pointed out that the US President Trump had already made clear the US position with respect to the Paris Agreement. "Although he indicated that the United States intends to withdraw at the earliest opportunity, we remain open to the possibility of rejoining at a later date under terms more favorable to the American people," she elaborated.Extending her sincere appreciation to the Government of Fiji for its leadership in presiding over this COP, and to the Government of Germany and the City of Bonn for hosting COP23, Ms Garber said the US would continue to be a leader in clean energy and innovation irrespective of US views on the Paris Agreement. "We understand the need for transforming energy systems," she pointed out.
President Trump had made this clear when the United States joined other G-20 countries in the G-20 Leaders’ Declaration in stating that "we remain collectively committed to mitigating greenhouse gas emissions through, among other things, increased innovation on sustainable energy and energy efficiency, and working towards low greenhouse gas emissions energy systems.""Our guiding principles are universal access to affordable and reliable energy, and open, competitive markets that promote efficiency and energy security, not only for the United States but around the globe," she said.Ms Garber claimed that the US would continue supporting a balanced approach to climate mitigation, economic development, and energy security that takes into consideration the realities of the global energy mix. UNI