Tech Industry Leaders Voice Disapproval as the U.S. Abandons Paris Climate Accord

In a sharp divergence from the global community’s collective commitment to fight climate change, U.S. President Donald Trump made the divisive decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Accord in 2020. The accord, adopted in 2015 under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), established measures to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions commencing 2020 and had aimed to keep global temperatures from rising above 1.5 degrees Celsius. President Trump’s rejection of the accord was primarily driven by perceived unfairness to the American economy and its primary energy sector, the coal industry.

The decision heightened tensions with the tech community. Tech magnate Elon Musk in particular, whose business interests strongly align with clean and renewable energy, elected to step away from his role as an advisor to the White House. Regardless of the dispute regarding the accord, many argue that Musk should have ceased advising the administration when it was announced that they were planning to temporarily prevent people from Muslim nations from entering the US.

Following the withdrawal, President Trump signaled an interest in renegotiating the Paris Agreement’s terms. However, his overtures faced staunch rebuffs from several countries including France, Germany, and Italy, who jointly stated that the accord was non-negotiable. Russia refused to follow in the U.S.’s footsteps and chose to honor its commitment to the pact.

Despite the federal government’s stance, several U.S. states, notably New York, California, and Washington, have sought ways to honor the spirit of the accord. Additionally, prominent companies such as Microsoft and General Electric have pledged to continue their efforts to combat the drastic effects of climate change.

In a collective statement, tech leaders articulated their concerns. “Continued U.S. participation in the agreement would facilitate a balanced global response to climate change and provide U.S. businesses with a stable and practical framework. It gives immense advantage to the U.S. economy,” the letter read. This highlights a prevailing sentiment in the tech industry that contrasted sharply with the rationale employed by the administration.

Elon Musk is the second tech industry figure to resign from a White House advisory position in response to contentious policy decisions, following Uber CEO Travis Kalanick’s departure amidst the immigration ban controversy.

Here are some reactions from other tech industry leaders on America’s withdrawal from the Accord:

(Reaction statements from tech leaders)

The reactions from these leading figures underscore the significant divide between the tech industry and the Trump administration on matters of climate policy and the future of energy.

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This article was updated in 2025 to reflect modern realities.