Argentina Considers Leaving the Paris Agreement

The Proposal:

Argentina’s president, Javier Milei, is considering withdrawing from the Paris Agreement after pulling negotiators from last year’s COP29 summit. He criticised the environmental agenda, claiming it unfairly treats economic growth as harmful to nature. Officially leaving the agreement would need congressional approval, but Milei has often used emergency decrees to bypass Congress. This mirrors former US President Donald Trump, who twice withdrew the US from the same agreement.

What is the Paris Agreement?

The Paris Agreement, signed in 2015 by 196 nations, aims to limit global temperature rises to below 2°C, ideally 1.5°C, by reducing emissions and transferring funds from wealthier nations to poorer ones. Argentina is a beneficiary of this funding, which it risks losing by withdrawing. Meanwhile, 2024 has been the hottest year ever recorded, with scientists warning the world is far off track to meet the agreement’s targets.

The Impact:

Exiting the agreement could damage Argentina’s international reputation, threaten its OECD membership bid, and disrupt regional trade. The EU-Mercosur deal, for example, allows Europe to suspend trade agreements if a signatory leaves the Paris Agreement. Unlike the US, Argentina lacks the economic power to weather such fallout, making it vulnerable to diplomatic and economic backlash.

Why It Matters:

This decision isn’t just about climate policy—it’s tied to Argentina’s economy and global standing. Withdrawal could create a risky precedent and harm the country’s already fragile economic situation. At a time when climate change is intensifying, the stakes are higher than ever.