Collective Action in the Wake of the U.S. Paris Agreement Withdrawal

President Barack Obama at the Paris Climate Accord

On 20 January 2025, former US President Donald Trump made good on his campaign promise to withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement. The move, which echoes his actions during his first term in office, has reignited global debates on the role of governments, businesses, and individuals in addressing the climate crisis.

The withdrawal places the world’s second-largest emitter of greenhouse gases outside the accord that has been central to global climate efforts since 2015. For those committed to the fight against climate change, it serves as a stark reminder of the urgency of coordinated action across all levels of society.

A Fragile Global Commitment

The Paris Agreement brought together nearly 200 nations in a shared commitment to limit global warming to well below 2°C, with efforts to restrict it to 1.5°C. Yet, even before the US withdrawal, progress has been mixed.

According to the UN Emissions Gap Report, current national policies fall short of the targets needed to meet these temperature limits. Without significant increases in ambition, the world remains on course for a rise of around 2.4°C by the end of the century—a scenario that risks catastrophic impacts, including intensified extreme weather, ecosystem collapse, and displacement of millions of people.

The absence of the US from the agreement adds further strain. Climate Action Tracker, an independent analysis group, warns that American withdrawal could encourage other nations to backslide on their commitments, undermining the fragile balance of international cooperation.

Grassroots and Local Solutions

With federal leadership absent, attention is increasingly turning to local and grassroots initiatives. Across the UK and Europe, regional governments, businesses, and individuals are stepping up to fill the void. Cities such as Bristol and Edinburgh are advancing ambitious net-zero targets, while private companies continue to innovate in green technologies.

In the transport sector, platforms like SpareRide are tackling one of the largest sources of emissions: single-occupancy vehicles. Focused exclusively on the events industry, SpareRide helps companies and attendees reduce their carbon footprints by providing tailored, sustainable ridesharing options.

“For every 1,000 attendees using SpareRide, over nine metric tonnes of CO₂ can be saved,” explains Toby, founder of SpareRide. “That’s equivalent to planting 150 trees. Small-scale actions, when combined, can have significant impacts.”

The Role of Businesses in Climate Action

Increasingly, businesses are being recognised as central players in the fight against climate change. Large-scale corporations, including IKEA and Unilever, have committed to science-based targets, while smaller, sector-specific solutions are emerging to address particular challenges.

Transportation is one of the most stubborn contributors to emissions, accounting for around 27% of the UK’s greenhouse gas output, according to the Department for Transport. Efforts to decarbonise this sector are accelerating, with innovations in electric vehicles, public transport expansion, and shared mobility services.

SpareRide’s event-specific ridesharing platform is part of this broader movement. By enabling event organisers to provide attendees with greener travel options, it helps to reduce single-occupancy vehicle journeys, which are among the least efficient transport modes.

The Responsibility We Share

The decision by the United States to abandon its Paris Agreement commitments is a blow to global climate cooperation. However, it also highlights a critical truth: tackling the climate crisis is not solely the responsibility of governments.

Whether through local policy initiatives, individual behaviour changes, or innovative business solutions, progress depends on collective effort. The actions of cities, companies, and communities can—and must—help fill the gaps left by national governments.

As the effects of climate change become ever more visible, from devastating wildfires to extreme weather in Europe and beyond, the need for urgent and coordinated action has never been clearer. Despite setbacks on the global stage, there remains hope in the capacity of individuals and organisations to take the reins and drive change.