U.S. withdraws from ISA and key clean energy groups

The United States has announced its withdrawal from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and more than 60 international treaties and organisations, stating that these memberships no longer align with U.S. interests.  

The exit covers several major climate and energy institutions. These include the UNFCCC, the 1992 treaty that underpins global climate cooperation, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), and the International Solar Alliance (ISA), which is headquartered in India and was co-founded by India and France. The U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement is scheduled to take effect on 20 January 2026, after completion of the required notice period.

The announcement reflects policy directions taken during President Trump’s second term, including reduced federal support for domestic climate research agencies. The U.S. remains one of the world’s largest emitters of greenhouse gases, accounting for around 12.7% of global emissions in 2024. Its per capita emissions continue to be well above the global average.

Historically, the U.S. played a central role in shaping global climate frameworks, including the creation of the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement, although it did not join the Kyoto Protocol. The current administration has reversed this engagement, with the President publicly questioning climate science and opposing several renewable energy initiatives.

Analysts indicate that the immediate impact on global emissions trajectories may be limited, as existing national pledges already fall short of 2030 targets. However, a prolonged U.S. absence from multilateral climate institutions is expected to weaken international cooperation and may shift technological and diplomatic leadership in clean energy toward countries such as China. At the same time, renewable energy deployment globally continues to be driven by cost competitiveness and energy security considerations.

For India, the development introduces several uncertainties. It is expected to slow the momentum of the India-United States partnership on climate and clean energy that was active before 2025. The U.S. exit from the ISA raises questions over the alliance’s future funding and influence, although the U.S. had not contributed financially since joining in 2021. While near-term diplomatic pressure on India to accelerate decarbonisation may ease, access to international capital and advanced clean energy technologies could become more challenging.

The U.S. decision follows an internal review of international memberships and is aligned with the administration’s America First policy approach. The longer term implications for global climate governance and clean energy geopolitics remain uncertain.