After Donald Trump announced that the US would withdraw from the Paris climate accord, billionaire Michael Bloomberg pledged to cover any unpaid US contributions to the UN climate accord. This commitment is reminiscent of a similar approach in 2017, when Bloomberg financially supported the organization after the first decision to withdraw from the US.
The Republican president once again formalized his intention to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, but without withdrawing his country from the UN climate. The United States, which funds 22 percent of the UN body’s budget, leaves uncertainty about its future involvement. Bloomberg, a longtime opponent of Donald Trump, said his Bloomberg Philanthropies organization will ensure that the United States meets its climate commitments.
UN climate chief Simon Stiell welcomed the initiative, saying such contributions are important in helping countries meet their climate commitments. The Paris Agreement, signed in 2015, aims to keep global warming below certain limits, a goal that requires increased global cooperation.
-In addition to this announcement, Bloomberg already showed its support for the fight against global warming in 2017 by paying $15 million to cover America’s exit. He also founded the initiative America’s Promise combining local and private actions for the benefit of the environment.
For Lawrence Tubiana, one of the architects of the Paris Agreement, Bloomberg’s financial support is necessary to maintain this international platform. He believes that this gesture will allow the world to continue to work together on “the main problem of our time”.
