Paris climate agreement faces challenges as U.S. prepares to withdraw

The Paris climate agreement, established in 2015, is a voluntary pact aimed at reducing global warming. The U.S. is set to withdraw, joining Iran, Libya, and Yemen as the only UN countries not part of the agreement. The agreement requires countries to submit emissions reduction plans every five years, but there are no penalties for failing to meet targets. The U.S. aims to cut emissions by up to two-thirds by 2035, but its financial contributions to help poorer nations remain disputed. Despite some progress, global temperatures have risen by 1.3 degrees Celsius since pre-industrial times. Experts note that while the agreement has led to some improvements, it is not sufficient to prevent further warming.