Trump brakes with the Paris Agreement. India and China set the arrow for overtaking

The breaking news on the exit of the US from the Paris Agreement has occupied the front pages of newspapers around the world in recent days. Even though the implications of Trump’s declaration are still not entirely clear. In order to formally exit the Agreement, it is necessary, in fact, long enough to make the US exit only at the end of Trump’s mandate. The only way for an immediate abandonment is the exit from the UNFCCC, with even more disruptive implications.

Immediate internal reaction in the country with 30 mayors (who soon became 187), 3 governors, 80 university presidents and 100 businesses asking the United Nations to be able to submit their emission reduction commitments.

It really seems that Trump is unknowingly stimulating a major movement of fighting the Climate Change in the US.

But it is interesting  to think about the foreign consequences of the too bold choice of the American President. According to the NY Times, Trump’s move leaves a world leadership void, that will be promptly occupied by China.

Is it perhaps a demonstration of this the EU-China summit, in which the mutual commitments made with the Paris Agreement have been confirmed?

Not even India remains to look at, and Prime Minister Modi, visiting Macron, in turn confirms his full participation in the Paris Agreement. But actions do speak louder than words. It is also of these days the news that the development of renewables in India has made it possible not to build a single new coal-fired power plant. The forecast of years ago was that India would come to produce by 2020 1.5 billion tons of coal. The reality is, on the contrary, that the government has lowered its production target from 660 to 600 million tonnes. One of the reason why India has reduced its dependence on coal is the greater competitiveness of photovoltaic. 5 years ago the solar kWh cost 7 rupees. Today, the cost is more than halved and is now stabilised on 2.44 rupees, cheaper than coal which now costs about 3 rupees per kWh.