Theresa May accused of 'dereliction of duty' over Trump climate move

Theresa May is under fierce attack from opponents for her response to Donald Trump's decision to withdraw the US from the Paris Agreement on climate change.

In a statement issued three hours after the US President's announcement at the White House, the Prime Minister expressed "disappointment" at the decision.

But as senior Conservatives expressed their dismay, the PM was attacked by Labour, the Liberal Democrats and the Scottish National Party for failing to protest in more robust terms.

Labour claimed the PM was guilty of a "dereliction of duty" and "failing to raise the quietest peep" in protest, while the Lib Dems said that after holding the President's hand she should "hold his feet to the fire".

Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon accused Mrs May of an "appalling abdication of leadership" for failing to join Europe's other G7 members - France, Germany and Italy - in rejecting Mr Trump's call to renegotiate the deal.

Reacting to the controversial announcement, a Downing Street spokesperson said: "President Trump called the Prime Minister this evening to discuss his decision to pull the US out of the Paris Agreement.

"The Prime Minister expressed her disappointment with the decision and stressed that the UK remained committed to the Paris Agreement, as she set out recently at the G7.

"She said that the Paris Agreement provides the right global framework for protecting the prosperity and security of future generations, while keeping energy affordable and secure for our citizens and businesses.

"The President made clear that the door remains open to future US involvement in the agreement.

"The Prime Minister and President agreed on the importance of continued cooperation on wider energy issues."

In a statement on Twitter shortly after Mr Trump's announcement, Business Secretary Greg Clark said: "UK played a major role in securing Paris Agreement and we are committed to it.

"Clean growth a key pillar of our modern industrial strategy."

Michael Howard, the former Conservative Party leader and a former environment secretary, also said that the UK's interests were served by maintaining its commitment to the UN process.

"It is clear that the UK's interests do not lie in allowing Mr Trump's position to sway our own; we can be friends, while agreeing to differ on this issue," he said.

"We have done very well from the UN climate convention - in the 25 years since Sir John Major and I negotiated it, Britons' wealth has grown faster than citizens of any other G7 nation, and our emissions have fallen further.

"Doing our fair share to combat climate change is clearly not harming our economy.

"As the Government seeks enhanced relationships with other nations around the world, maintaining our strong and stable commitment to reduce our carbon emissions while helping poorer countries do the same can only be a sensible strategy."

Image:Donald Trump and Theresa May held hands during her visit to the White House

In a tweet, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said: "Pulling out of the Paris climate deal is reckless and regressive. Instead of hand-holding, I'll work for a sustainable future for our planet."

But Labour's shadow foreign secretary, Emily Thornberry, went much further, attacking the Prime Minister for not protesting against the President's decision.

After criticising Mr Trump for "an act of global, generational vandalism... inflicting damage that our grandchildren will be unable to undo", she moved on to his "so-called 'closest allies' in our own Tory government, who have failed to raise even the quietest peep in protest".

She said: "Even earlier today, while Trump's decision hung in the balance and leaders around the world were pressuring him to do the right thing, all Theresa May could say was: It's up to the President to decide."

Image:Emily Thornberry says Mr Trump is committing 'global, generational vandalism'

"That is a total dereliction of her duty, both to our country and our planet, and it is not just her lack of backbone that has been exposed during this campaign, but her hopelessness at diplomacy and negotiation."

Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron urged the Prime Minister to use any influence she may have over the US President to urge him to reverse his decision.

In a direct appeal to Mrs May, who was the first foreign leader to visit Mr Trump following his inauguration, Mr Farron said: "You have gone to Washington to hold Donald Trump's hand, now is the time to hold his feet to the fire.

"If the special relationship between the Prime Minister and Mr Trump actually exists, it exists for moments like this.

"We need to make him see sense on climate change.

"Prime Minister: if your special relationship with Donald Trump means anything, prove it."

London Mayor Sadiq Khan said: "Now more than ever world leaders must recognise the threat of climate change and join forces to protect public health, reduce toxic pollution and help sustain a greener planet.

"The President of the USA's decision to withdraw from the Paris Accord is profoundly regrettable."

Green Party co-leader Caroline Lucas said: "We are the climate movement. We will not be stopped by Trump.

"We are stronger. We will win."

But the UKIP leader Paul Nuttall said: "Trump says he will withdraw from the Paris Agreement. Trump gets elected. Trump withdraws. That's democracy, folks."

World leaders condemn President Trump's climate change u-turn

I was in the vast Paris convention centre late on that December night back in 2015 when the climate change accord was agreed.

The jubilation among the delegates was palpable. Politicians, scientists, activists were all ecstatic.

They were surprised too. After the total failure of the previous summit, five years earlier in Copenhagen, they had finally achieved what they had thought was impossible: almost every nation had signed the accord.

Nearly a year later, in November 2016, I was in a US rust belt town in Pennsylvania as America prepared to vote. Out of work and with their factories shut, the people of Johnstown, Pennsylvania chose Donald Trump.

:: Trump announces US will withdraw from Paris climate deal

His promise to "make America great again" had resonated across large swathes of the country largely because he promised to get their jobs and their industry back.

Mr Trump's pledge to pull out of the Paris accord meant, they believed, that their factories would reopen, their jobs would be returned to them.

It was a cruel populist tactic and it has now been compounded. In an hour long statement on Thursday evening Mr Trump held true to his word.

"In order to fulfil my solemn duty to protect the people of the United States we will withdraw from the climate accord," he announced from the Rose Garden of the White House.

The factory workers are thrilled, naturally. But it's impossible to see how, ultimately, it will make their lives better, let alone reignite their factories.

Far from putting America first, leaders globally now believe that he has put America last.

It will be left behind as other countries accelerate, with unprecedented enthusiasm, their green energy initiatives. That will have an economic impact.

The flurry of condemnation from around the world was a hint of how big a deal the Trump decision is.

In their joint statement, Italy, France and Germany expressed their regret and said they believed the climate deal gave substantial economic opportunities for propensity and growth.

It's true that the accord unlocked significant low carbon investment and innovation globally creating more and more jobs.

Image:Protesters marched on the White House to try to pressure the President

France's President Emmanuel Macron, in a rare 11pm live televised statement, said: "I want to express myself a few hours after the declaration of the President of the United States of America because this is serious."

"The US has turned its back on the world.

"France will not turn its back on Americans," he said, before inviting American scientists to come and work in France.

He ended with: "Make the planet great again".

The EU Commissioner for climate action and energy, Miguel Arias Canete, issued a lengthy statement condemning Mr Trump's decision and concluded: "Today's announcement has galvanised us rather than weakened us, and this vacuum will be filled by new broad committed leadership.

"Europe and its strong partners all around the world are ready to lead the way.

"We will work together to face one of the most compelling challenges of our time."

Image:In 2015, the Eiffel Tower beamed the message: 'The Paris accord is done'

John Kerry, the former US secretary of state who was instrumental in ensuring success in Paris in 2015, described the decision as "an ignorant, cynical appeal to an anti-science, special-interest faction far outside the mainstream".

He added: "If the world doesn't press forward faster, we'll see stronger storms, longer and more intense droughts, more wildfires, a swell of climate refugees and intensified conflict around the world."

China, once the climate change villain, is now seen in an altogether different light.

While Mr Trump was speaking in the Rose Garden, the Chinese Premier Li Keqiang was dining in Brussels with EU leaders.

Image:John Kerry signed the agreement with his granddaughter in his arms

It is China's enthusiastic commitment, along with India and Japan, to stick to the Paris Accord that will, it is hoped, mitigate the decision by Mr Trump.

While there is significant disappointment and dismay at the decision, there is reserved confidence among politicians, scientists and activists that the pledges made in Paris in December 2015 can still be met.

So maybe there are a few silver linings to Mr Trump's toxic cloud.

The world, minus just America, will now have new impetus, willingness and resolve to implement the Paris accord and ensure the fight for the environment can continue.

Already, extra support for developing nations to help them meet their goals has been pledged.

Image:Americans in Japan held a rally near the US embassy in Tokyo in March

New bonds are being formed as old ones fray. The European Union and the world's largest emitter, China, releasing a joint statement on fighting climate change is significant.

The European Union sees this as an opportunity to reassert itself globally.

And given that significant portions of the American electorate are against Mr Trump's decision, it seems certain that climate change will now be a key theme in the next US election.

It's not often that climate change features highly in election campaigns.

I fear though that the silver linings won't stretch as far as places like Johnstown, Pennsylvania.

America's rust belt workers will be disappointed.

Paris Climate Agreement: What you need to know

President Donald Trump announced on Thursday that the United States will withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement.

Below is a look at the accord and what a withdrawal would mean.

What is the Paris Climate Agreement?

Nearly 200 nations, including the United States under President Barack Obama's administration, agreed in 2015 to voluntarily reduce their greenhouse gas emissions in an effort to combat climate change.

The countries each set their own emissions targets, though these goals are not legally binding.

A priority "is to strengthen the global response to the threat of climate change keeping a global temperature rise this century well below 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase even further to 1.5 degrees Celsius," according to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).

Developed nations are also supposed to offer financial aid to developing ones so they can move toward cleaner energy sources, NBC News reported.

What did the United States pledge?

The U.S. pledged to lower its annual greenhouse gas emissions in 2025 by 26 to 28 percent below 2005 levels, which would be a reduction of about 1.6 billion tons of annual emissions.



Accompanied by his granddaughter, Secretary @JohnKerry signs #ParisAgreement at @UN this morning#EarthDay https://t.co/7zj1vGADwU— Department of State (@StateDept) April 22, 2016

The U.S. is the world's second-largest emitter of carbon, while China takes the top spot. Beijing, however, has reaffirmed its commitment to meeting its targets under the Paris accord, recently canceling construction of about 100 coal-fired power plants and investing billions in massive wind and solar projects.

The Obama administration pledged as much as $3 billion to less wealthy nations by 2020, with the U.S. giving $1 billion, the New York Times reported on Wednesday.

PARIS AGREEMENT GIVES US LEVERAGE OVER CHINA, OBAMA'S TOP ECONOMIC ADVISOR SAYS

Who hasn't signed the accord?

Nicaragua and Syria. They are the two holdouts in the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which includes a total of 197 countries, Reuters reported.

What has been Trump's stance?

Trump claimed before taking office that climate change was a "hoax" created by the Chinese to hurt the U.S. economy. The assertion stands in defiance of broad scientific consensus.



I will be announcing my decision on Paris Accord, Thursday at 3:00 P.M. The White House Rose Garden. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) June 1, 2017

During his overseas trip in May, European leaders pressed Trump to keep the U.S. in the landmark agreement. While at the G-7 Summit in Taormina, Italy, Trump declined to join fellow G-7 members Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom in their pledge to uphold it.

PARIS CLIMATE AGREEMENT: TRUMP EXPECTED TO PULL OUT OF PACT

How will a withdrawal happen?

Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt is part of a small team working out withdrawal details, Axios reported on Wednesday.

Who supported leaving the deal?

Pruitt and Trump's chief strategist Steve Bannon supported an exit.

"It's a bad deal for America," Pruitt told Fox and Friends in April.

Jared Kushner, the president's senior adviser and son-in-law, generally thinks the climate deal is bad, according to the AP, but would like to find a way to see if the U.S. emissions targets can be changed.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., and 21 other Republican senators sent Trump a letter last week urging him to follow through on his campaign pledge to pull out of the climate accord.

Most of the senators who signed are from states that depend on the continued burning of coal, oil and gas.

"We applaud you for your ongoing efforts to reduce overregulation in America," the letter was quoted by the New York Times as saying.

Twelve House Republicans have also signed a letter which encouraged leaving the deal, according to the newspaper.

What has the response been to withdrawal from the U.S.?

Trump is "choosing to put American jobs and American consumers first" with his announcement that the U.S. will withdraw, Vice President Mike Pence said Thursday.

He praised Trump's leadership and said Trump is "is choosing to put the forgotten men and women of America first." Abandoning the pact was one of Trump's principal campaign pledges.



.@POTUS' decision to support a dirty energy agenda & pull out of #ParisAgreement is a grave threat to our planet. https://t.co/qMgx15EDlV— Nancy Pelosi (@NancyPelosi) May 31, 2017

"Even in the absence of American leadership; even as this Administration joins a small handful of nations that reject the future; I'm confident that our states, cities, and businesses will step up and do even more to lead the way, and help protect for future generations the one planet we've got," Obama said in a statement on Thursday.

Five Nordic countries had written Trump a last-minute letter which urged him to "make the right decision" and keep America signed onto the Paris climate accord.



Climate change is undeniable

Climate action is unstoppable

Climate solutions provide opportunities that are unmatchable.
-@antonioguterres https://t.co/a8O14NCLUc— United Nations (@UN) May 31, 2017

The leaders of Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden said the 2015 Paris Agreement to reduce global warming was a commitment "to our children."

Before Trump's announcement, House Democratic leader, Rep. Nancy Pelosi of California, on Wednesday called the president's expected decision "a stunning abdication of American leadership and a grave threat to our planet's future."

The agreement "honors our collective moral responsibility to leave future generations with a planet that is clean, healthy and sustainable," she said.

On Wednesday, the U.N.'s main Twitter page quoted Secretary-General Antonio Guterres as saying, "Climate change is undeniable. Climate change is unstoppable. Climate solutions provide opportunities that are unmatchable."

The European Union and China will reaffirm their commitment to the Paris climate change accord this week regardless of whether Trump pulls out of the pact, a senior European Union official said. The EU and China are expected to "spell out" how they plan to meet their commitments to the accord at talks in Brussels on Friday, the official told reporters Wednesday.

Paris Agreement on climate change: US withdraws as Trump calls it 'unfair'

After days of drama and suspense, President Trump announced Thursday that his administration will exit the Paris climate agreement.

"So we're getting out," Trump said. "The Paris accord is very unfair at the highest level to the United States."

Trump’s decision fulfills a campaign promise and satisfies strong Republican opposition to the global climate deal but also isolates the U.S. and is certain to bring condemnation from world leaders and critics in the scientific community.

Leaving the accord aligns the United States with Syria and Nicaragua.

Critics of the Paris agreement argue it hurts the economy but supporters say it will create jobs down the line.

“The Paris accord will undermine our economy,” Trump said, adding that it “puts us at a permanent disadvantage.”

“It’s time to exit,” he said.

The Paris Climate Agreement is a pact between nearly 200 nations to voluntarily reduce their greenhouse gas emissions in an effort to fight climate change. The U.S., the world’s second largest emitter of carbon, would be required to reduce fossil fuel emissions nearly 30 percent by 2025.

Former President Barack Obama used his power as president to join the Paris Accord without a vote in the legislature. Similarly, Trump used his authority to call it quits.

The former president weighed in on Thursday’s news.

“Even in the absence of American leadership; even as this Administration joins a small handful of nations that reject the future, I’m confident that our states, cities, and businesses will step up and do even more to lead the way, and help protect for future generations the one planet we’ve got,” Obama said in a statement.

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders called Trump’s decision “an abdication of American leadership and an international disgrace” while former Vice President Al Gore said it was “a reckless and indefensible action.”

Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel applauded the news and credited Trump with delivering “on his campaign promise to put American workers first.”

“The president is sending a clear message that we will no longer remain beholden to burdensome international deals at the expense of our taxpayers,” she said. “I commend the president for making this decision that will save the U.S. economy from the loss of millions of jobs and trillions in economic output.”

Trump hyped-up his announcement Wednesday on Twitter – prompting American allies around the world to weigh in on the consequences of the U.S. withdrawing from the global pact.

At a speech in Berlin, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said that fighting climate change is a "global consensus" and an "international responsibility."

Though there are no legal ramifications for pulling out of the accord, it does alienate America and diminish its standing as a global leader.

Miguel Canete, the European Union's top climate change official, said the decision to pull out of the Paris accord makes it "a sad day for the global community."

He also predicted that the EU would seek new alliances from the world’s largest economies to the most vulnerable island states, as well as U.S. businesses and individuals supportive of the accord.

“We are on the right side of history,” he said.

Trump, who announced his decision from the White House Rose Garden, campaigned against the climate agreement during the 2016 election season.

As a candidate, Trump vowed to “cancel” the Paris climate deal during his first major policy speech on energy in March 2016. In that same speech, he slammed “draconian climate rules” and vowed to cut any funding for United Nations programs related to combatting climate change. In the past, Trump has refused to acknowledge that humans contribute to climate change and has dismissed it as a hoax.

Though the Paris Climate Agreement is not legally binding, the decision to either stay or withdraw has been deeply polarizing not only with lawmakers but also members of Trump’s inner circle.

Trump’s chief strategist Steve Bannon as well as EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt had been pressing the president to exit the deal. Both sat in the front row during Thursday’s announcement and applauded.

Trump’s daughter Ivanka as well as business leaders and other U.S. allies have been pushing pro-Paris agenda for weeks. Business leaders including Apple's Tim Cook and Tesla’s Elon Musk were among those who lobbied Trump to stay in the agreement.

Democratic mega-donor Tom Steyer tweeted, “Generations of Americans will suffer the destructive effects of Trump’s greedy, selfish, and immoral decision.”

Paris Agreement on climate change: US withdraws as Trump calls it 'unfair'

After days of drama and suspense, President Trump announced Thursday that his administration will exit the Paris climate agreement.

"So we're getting out," Trump said. "The Paris accord is very unfair at the highest level to the United States."

Trump’s decision fulfills a campaign promise and satisfies strong Republican opposition to the global climate deal but also isolates the U.S. and is certain to bring condemnation from world leaders and critics in the scientific community.

Leaving the accord aligns the United States with Syria and Nicaragua.

Critics of the Paris agreement argue it hurts the economy but supporters say it will create jobs down the line.

“The Paris accord will undermine our economy,” Trump said, adding that it “puts us at a permanent disadvantage.”

“It’s time to exit,” he said.

The Paris Climate Agreement is a pact between nearly 200 nations to voluntarily reduce their greenhouse gas emissions in an effort to fight climate change. The U.S., the world’s second largest emitter of carbon, would be required to reduce fossil fuel emissions nearly 30 percent by 2025.

Former President Barack Obama used his power as president to join the Paris Accord without a vote in the legislature. Similarly, Trump used his authority to call it quits.

The former president weighed in on Thursday’s news.

“Even in the absence of American leadership; even as this Administration joins a small handful of nations that reject the future, I’m confident that our states, cities, and businesses will step up and do even more to lead the way, and help protect for future generations the one planet we’ve got,” Obama said in a statement.

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders called Trump’s decision “an abdication of American leadership and an international disgrace” while former Vice President Al Gore said it was “a reckless and indefensible action.”

Republican National Committee Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel applauded the news and credited Trump with delivering “on his campaign promise to put American workers first.”

“The president is sending a clear message that we will no longer remain beholden to burdensome international deals at the expense of our taxpayers,” she said. “I commend the president for making this decision that will save the U.S. economy from the loss of millions of jobs and trillions in economic output.”

Trump hyped-up his announcement Wednesday on Twitter – prompting American allies around the world to weigh in on the consequences of the U.S. withdrawing from the global pact.

At a speech in Berlin, Chinese Premier Li Keqiang said that fighting climate change is a "global consensus" and an "international responsibility."

Though there are no legal ramifications for pulling out of the accord, it does alienate America and diminish its standing as a global leader.

Miguel Canete, the European Union's top climate change official, said the decision to pull out of the Paris accord makes it "a sad day for the global community."

He also predicted that the EU would seek new alliances from the world’s largest economies to the most vulnerable island states, as well as U.S. businesses and individuals supportive of the accord.

“We are on the right side of history,” he said.

Trump, who announced his decision from the White House Rose Garden, campaigned against the climate agreement during the 2016 election season.

As a candidate, Trump vowed to “cancel” the Paris climate deal during his first major policy speech on energy in March 2016. In that same speech, he slammed “draconian climate rules” and vowed to cut any funding for United Nations programs related to combatting climate change. In the past, Trump has refused to acknowledge that humans contribute to climate change and has dismissed it as a hoax.

Though the Paris Climate Agreement is not legally binding, the decision to either stay or withdraw has been deeply polarizing not only with lawmakers but also members of Trump’s inner circle.

Trump’s chief strategist Steve Bannon as well as EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt had been pressing the president to exit the deal. Both sat in the front row during Thursday’s announcement and applauded.

Trump’s daughter Ivanka as well as business leaders and other U.S. allies have been pushing pro-Paris agenda for weeks. Business leaders including Apple's Tim Cook and Tesla’s Elon Musk were among those who lobbied Trump to stay in the agreement.

Democratic mega-donor Tom Steyer tweeted, “Generations of Americans will suffer the destructive effects of Trump’s greedy, selfish, and immoral decision.”

At least 25 bodies found in Manila casino

At least 25 bodies have been found in a casino and hotel complex in the Philippines, following a shooting incident by a gunman, local media said.

Most of the dead appear to have suffocated from thick smoke after the man set fire to casino tables, news outlet ABS-CBN reported.

The gunman began shooting at TV monitors in Resorts World Manila in the early hours of Friday morning.

Police said he later killed himself by setting himself on fire.

The unnamed man, armed with an assault rifle, sparked a security lockdown and a manhunt in the complex, which ended when his body was found in a hotel room.

More than 50 people have been sent to a hospital to be treated for injuries.

Police said on Friday morning the incident appeared to have been a robbery attempt, and was not terror-related.

Obama’s harsh words for Trump after Paris withdrawal

The Paris climate agreement was a step forward. President Trump's decision to withdraw from the landmark agreement was several giant steps in the opposite direction.

That's the underlying message of former president Barack Obama's statement on his successor's controversial move.

Brief and to the point, Obama never mentions Trump by name. Instead, he pointedly refers to the “absence of American leadership,” a jabbing phrase that for many Trump critics extends beyond the climate agreement.

Statement from President Barack Obama on the Paris climate agreement:

A year and a half ago, the world came together in Paris around the first-ever global agreement to set the world on a low-carbon course and protect the world we leave to our children.

It was steady, principled American leadership on the world stage that made that achievement possible.

[Transcript: President Trump’s remarks on leaving the Paris climate deal, annotated]

It was bold American ambition that encouraged dozens of other nations to set their sights higher as well. And what made that leadership and ambition possible was America’s private innovation and public investment in growing industries like wind and solar — industries that created some of the fastest new streams of good-paying jobs in recent years, and contributed to the longest streak of job creation in our history.

Simply put, the private sector already chose a low-carbon future. And for the nations that committed themselves to that future, the Paris Agreement opened the floodgates for businesses, scientists, and engineers to unleash high-tech, low-carbon investment and innovation on an unprecedented scale.

[Trump announces U.S. will exit Paris climate deal]

The nations that remain in the Paris Agreement will be the nations that reap the benefits in jobs and industries created. I believe the United States of America should be at the front of the pack.

But even in the absence of American leadership; even as this Administration joins a small handful of nations that reject the future; I’m confident that our states, cities, and businesses will step up and do even more to lead the way, and help protect for future generations the one planet we’ve got.