By Edna OBIRI
On January 20, 2025, after taking office, President Donald Trump, the newly elected president of the United States, signed an executive order to withdraw the United States from the Paris Agreement.
The purpose of this decision, according to the executive order, is for “the Trump Administration” to, among other things, “put the interest of the United States and the American people first in the development and negotiation of any international agreement with the potential to damage or stifle the American economy,…and not to unduly and unfairly burden the United States.”
Although this was not the first time the United States has withdrawn from the accord, this decision sent shockwaves across the world. While global leaders scramble to reaffirm their commitment to climate action, my dear Africa, and for that matter, Ghana,
faces one of the harshest realities of this decision. As a continent already at the frontline of climate change, Africa is tagged by the rest of the world as the continent to bear the brunt of this environmental and economic withdrawal. To my mind, this is quite fair.
A continent on the frontline
It is fair to think this way because, even though the continent contributes a very small amount to the world’s climate crisis, accounting for just about 2-3% of global greenhouse gas emissions, it has a high vulnerability to climate impacts, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report. Undoubtedly, Africa is home to some of the most climate-vulnerable nations.
From prolonged droughts in the Sahel to devastating cyclones in Mozambique and Madagascar, climate change is not a distant threat but a lived reality. Rising temperatures, unpredictable rainfall, and intensifying natural disasters threaten food security, water resources, and livelihoods for millions of people in Africa.
Think Chad, Niger, Liberia, Somalia, the Republic of Congo, Madagascar and our beloved Ghana. Indeed, President Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement signals a loss of crucial financial and technical support, leaving African nations to fend for ‘ourselves’ in an escalating crisis.
Who will fill the gap?
One of the most immediate consequences of the U.S. exit is the withdrawal of climate finance commitments. Under the 2009 Paris Agreement, developed countries committed to providing $100 billion per year to help developing nations adapt to climate change. The commitment has since grown. In the recent COP29 summit in Baku, Azerbaijan, developed nations pledged to increase this amount to $300 billion annually by 2035, tripling the original goal.
The U.S. played a significant role in this effort, contributing $1 billion to the Green Climate Fund (GCF) in 2014 and further pledged $3 billion for the Second Replenishment (GCF-2); which runs from 2024 to 2027.
The GCF is especially important to Africa’s fight against climate change as it helps the continent implement renewable energy projects, climate adaptation programs, and disaster resilience initiatives. Now, with the U.S. pulling out, the continent faces a funding gap that could delay crucial projects aimed at mitigating climate impacts.
Indeed, the European Union and China have reaffirmed their climate commitments, but it still remains unclear whether they will compensate for the void left by the United States. Our ability to transition to a green economy, invest in climate resilience, and protect vulnerable communities is now at risk.
Energy and economic setbacks
The United States’ exit from the agreement also shifts the global energy landscape in ways that hurt Africa’s economic prospects. As Trump’s administration prioritizes fossil fuels over renewable energy, the world’s largest economy is backtracking on the transition to green energy. This affects Africa, which is increasingly attracting investment in solar, wind, and hydropower.
Countries such as Kenya, South Africa, and Morocco have been making strides in renewable energy development. However, with the U.S. scaling back its commitment, African nations may struggle to secure international funding and technological support for clean energy projects. Instead, Africa may be pressured to continue relying on fossil fuels, further deepening our vulnerability to climate change.
A dangerous precedent
Beyond the immediate impacts, Trump’s decision sets a dangerous precedent for other nations. If the United States, one of the world’s biggest polluters, refuses to honor its commitments, what stops other countries from following suit? For Africa, this could mean weaker global accountability in tackling emissions, making achieving the climate goals necessary to protect vulnerable communities even harder.
Africa’s Response: resilience amid adversity
The good news is that, despite these challenges, African leaders and climate advocates are not backing down. The African Group of Negotiators on Climate Change issued a strong statement condemning the U.S. decision, emphasizing that Africa remains committed to the Paris Agreement. Countries like Rwanda, Ethiopia, and Ghana continue to implement ambitious climate policies, investing in reforestation, clean energy, and climate adaptation programs.
However, Africa cannot do it alone. The international community must step up, ensuring that the continent does not suffer the consequences of a decision it had no part in making. The EU, China, and other major economies must reinforce their climate commitments, while African governments push for stronger regional cooperation on climate resilience.
The fight must continue
Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement is a setback but must not spell defeat. Africa’s future depends on decisive climate action, global solidarity, and sustained investment in climate resilience. If the U.S. chooses to abandon its responsibility, the rest of the world, and Africa in particular, must continue the fight. The stakes are too high to do otherwise. Let’s get moving. A clean climate means good health. We’ve got this!
