In January 2026, the U.S. announced it will exit 66 international organizations, including key climate and environmental bodies.
A presidential memorandum directed U.S. agencies to begin withdrawal from groups seen as “contrary to national interests.”
UNFCCC – the main climate negotiation framework IPCC – world’s top climate science body Green Climate Fund – biggest climate finance institution And many more.
These groups help countries track emissions, share science, and finance adaptation in vulnerable regions. Their absence weakens global climate cooperation.
Climate projects tied to U.S. support: like adaptation, resilience, and renewable energy programs, now face uncertainty and funding gaps.
By COP28, wealthy nations pledged ~$1 trillion to help vulnerable countries, but actual disbursements remain a tiny fraction of that promise (often <5%).
U.S. withdrawal from the IPCC means fewer voices at global climate science tables, especially from historically high-emitting economies.
Climate change, oceans, migratory species, air pollution, water security, these cross borders. Exiting cooperation doesn’t stop the problems; it worsens them.
If one country ignores bird protection, migratory species suffer across regions, harming biodiversity and livelihoods everywhere.
Unilateral action on shared natural resources (like oceans) can destroy ecosystems essential to global food security.
Burning crop residues in one country can cause haze & health crises in neighbouring regions.
Extreme weather — floods, heatwaves, droughts — continues to hit hardest where adaptive capacity is low.
No single nation can manage shared atmospheric, oceanic, or ecological systems alone. MEAs ensure: – Shared data – Joint financing – Policy alignment – Climate justice
Without coordination: – Nations may delay climate targets – Less finance for adaptation & resilience – Rising vulnerability for Global South communities
UN leaders have expressed regret and insisted that cooperation continues — even if U.S. support wanes.
Some states and cities (even in the U.S.) continue climate action — but national withdrawal creates diplomatic and financial gaps.
The world must ask: – Who fills the vacuum? – How do we secure climate finance? – Can Global South coalitions mobilize new partnerships?