Scholz criticizes Trump's decision to exit Paris climate agreement

Germany's outgoing Chancellor Olaf Scholz has criticized the U.S. administration's decision to abandon the Paris Climate Accord. 

Speaking to delegates at the Petersberg Climate Dialogue, Scholz said the decision would impact the world's fight against climate change, given the U.S.'s high emission levels.

"I deeply regret that the United States wants to leave the agreement," he said.

"Denying and ignoring the facts does not make the consequences of climate change or the responsibility of the United States, as historically the largest emitter of greenhouse gases, disappear," he added.

Held in Berlin, the climate dialogue brought together representatives from 40 signatory nations of the 2015 Paris Agreement. Opening the meeting, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said time was running out in the fight against global warming.

"Ten years ago, with the Paris Agreement, the countries of the world achieved a historic breakthrough," she said. 

"In Paris, we agreed to do everything in our power, as a global community founded on shared responsibility, to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius on average.

"This consensus reached in Paris is now coming under pressure once again – and with it our joint promise to safeguard for our children a future that is worth living in," she added.

Warning signs

The meeting comes after the UN's World Meteorological Organization last week released its 2024 State of the Global Climate report. 

The report noted that "2024 was likely the first calendar year to be more than 1.5 degrees Celsius above the pre-industrial era" and that 2024 was "the warmest year in the 175-year observational record."

The report also revealed that each of the past eight years had set a new record for ocean heat and that the rate of sea level rise had doubled since satellite measurements began.

"Our planet is issuing more distress signals - but this report shows that limiting long-term global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius is still possible," said UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

"Leaders must step up to make it happen – seizing the benefits of cheap, clean renewables for their people and economies – with new national climate plans due this year."

The Berlin gathering comes as the world prepares to meet in November for the UN's COP30 world summit, which will take place in Belem, Brazil.

"In the face of a shared global crisis, multilateralism and global governance are more necessary than ever," COP President-Designate André Corrêa do Lago told delegates in Berlin.