Today’s ESG Updates
- U.S. Officially Exits Paris Climate Agreement, Again: The U.S. formally withdrew from the Paris Agreement for a second time on January 27, 2026.
- China and India Emissions Cuts Offset U.S. Coal Growth: Emissions declines in China and India’s power sectors in 2025 have offset a 3.3% rise in U.S. emissions.
- Michigan Sues Oil Giants Over Alleged Antitrust Violations: Michigan filed an antitrust lawsuit against major oil companies, accusing them of driving up energy costs and suppressing renewables.
- Nigeria to Begin $163M, 100 MW Solar Project: Nigeria’s Niger State began construction on a $163 million, 100-MW solar facility backed by the Islamic Development Bank.
The U.S. officially withdrew from the Paris Agreement
The U.S. has become the only country to leave the Paris Climate Agreement not once, but twice. January 27, 2026, marked the end of U.S. participation in the climate pact after Trump signed an executive order and sent the U.N. a formal request last year. In an email, Taylor Rogers, a spokesperson from the White House, said, “Thanks to President Trump, the U.S. has officially escaped from the Paris Climate Agreement, which undermined American values and priorities, wasted hard-earned taxpayer dollars, and stifled economic growth. This is another commonsense America First victory for the American people!”
Trump also plans to withdraw from the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Like the Paris Agreement, withdrawal from the UNFCCC requires a one-year waiting period after the U.N. receives the formal request. The U.S. is one of the few countries in the world without a climate target, and Trump is further isolating the country amid concerns about climate policy.
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Further reading: So long, Paris: US officially leaves landmark climate pact
Lower emissions in India and China offset growing US coal consumption
China and India have made swift progress in clean energy generation. Researchers say that the emissions cuts in both countries have essentially offset the increase in U.S. coal emissions. For the first time in 52 years, emissions have declined simultaneously in China and India’s power sectors. According to energy think tank Ember, China saw its emissions decline by 40 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO2e), or 0.7% in 2025. India’s emissions fell by 38 million tCO2e, or 4.1% over 11 months. Conversely, the U.S. increased emissions by 55.7 million metric tons of tCO2e, or 3.3% in 2025. As these three countries account for 60% of power sector emissions, their contradictory emissions helped keep global emissions flat.
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Further reading: India, China cut electricity emissions, mitigating US coal overdrive
Klimado – Navigating climate complexity just got easier. Klimado offers a user-friendly platform for tracking local and global environmental shifts, making it an essential tool for climate-aware individuals and organizations.
Michigan files antitrust lawsuit against oil giants
Michigan’s attorney general filed a lawsuit against oil giants in the United States, claiming these companies have created a “cartel”, raising costs through suppressing renewables. Michigan’s lawsuit cites federal and state antitrust laws, which is notable. Only one other lawsuit has cited antitrust laws, while most state and local governments have opted for more straightforward lawsuits. Michigan’s Attorney General Dana Nessel claimed that prices for home energy and transportation are reaching all-time highs, leading to an “energy affordability crisis.” She said, “These out-of-control costs are not the result of natural economic inflation, but due to the greed of these corporations who prioritized their own profit and marketplace dominance over competition and consumer savings.” The lawsuit has named the American Petroleum Institute, Shell, Chevron, ExxonMobil, and BP as defendants.
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Further reading: Michigan Sues Oil Giants, Saying They Collude to Make Energy Costlier
Nigeria plans $163 million, 100MW solar facility with Islamic Development Bank
The government of Nigeria’s Niger State is beginning construction of a 100-megawatt solar power facility with support from the Islamic Development Bank. The $163 million solar project will provide electricity to communities across the state, supporting industry and agriculture. Covering 200 hectares of land, the planned solar facility will support clean energy generation in the country. The state’s governor, Umaru Mohammed Bago, said the project will help boost industrial activity and complement agricultural investments. By providing clean, reliable electricity, the solar facility will power food production and agro-processing in the area, eventually leading to increased revenues across the sector.
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Further reading: Nigeria’s Niger State to work with Islamic Development Bank on $163 million solar project
Editor’s Note: The opinions expressed here by the authors are their own, not those of impakter.com — In the Cover Photo: President Donald Trump boards a plane at Joint Base Andrews to Davos, Switzerland, Tuesday, January 20, 2026. Cover Photo Credit: The White House / Daniel Torok
