The Trump administration’s decision to withdraw from the Paris agreement will make its implementation more challenging. The United States (US) had been instrumental in brokering a successful deal in Paris and speeding up the ratification process for an early entry into force of the agreement. But far from bringing international climate action to a standstill, the US government’s position has, on the contrary, prompted decision-makers around the world to reaffirm their commitment to the implementation of the Paris agreement. This provides fertile ground for the European Union (EU) to play a leading role in the long process to turn the commitments made in Paris into concrete actions. To do so, the EU must:
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deepen existing partnerships and seek new ones;
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ensure that big emitters actively pursue policies aimed at lowering emissions;
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increase its support to developing countries including those that are most vulnerable to the effects of climate change;
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reach out to subnational actors in the US (who do not all agree with federal climate policies) to stimulate climate mitigation actions in the US.
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