Prime Minister Theresa May has told Donald Trump of her “disappointment” at his decision to pull America out of the Paris Accord on climate change.
In a phone call with the US president shortly after his White House announcement, Mrs May stressed that the UK remained committed to the 2015 agreement, which aims to limit the rise in global temperatures caused by the use of carbon-based fuels.
But she came under fire for failing to add her name to a joint statement issued by the leaders of France, Germany and Italy to say that the Paris climate accord cannot be renegotiated as Mr Trump has demanded.
Declaring their “regret” at Mr Trump’s move, president Emmanuel Macron, chancellor Angela Merkel and prime minister Paolo Gentiloni said they remained committed to the “irreversible” accord and regarded it as “a cornerstone in the co-operation between our countries, for effectively and timely tackling climate change”.
In a statement issued 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.”
And in a statement, Downing Street 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.”
Number 10 said that Mrs May and Mr Trump had agreed on the importance of continued co-operation on wider energy issues.
But Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who described Mr Trump’s move as “profoundly regrettable”, said it was an “appalling abdication of leadership by the PM” not to join her French, German and Italian counterparts in signing the joint declaration.
And former Labour leader Ed Miliband asked: “Theresa May, why are you missing from this statement? You can’t stand up for Britain because you won’t stand up to Trump. Weak leadership.”
Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn mocked the famous photos of Mrs May during her January visit to Mr Trump in the White House, as he 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.”
Liberal Democrat leader Tim Farron urged Mrs May to use any influence she may have over the US president to urge him to reverse his decision.
“You have gone to Washington to hold Donald Trump’s hand, now is the time to hold his feet to the fire,” said Mr Farron.
“We need to make him see sense on climate change. Prime Minister: if your special relationship with Donald Trump means anything, prove it.”
In a video message from the Elysee Palace, Mr Macron said there was no question of Mr Trump renegotiating the US commitments under the Paris Accord, saying: “There is no plan B because there is no planet B.”
Turning Mr Trump’s slogan against him, he said France would continue the fight to “Make our planet great again”.
Mr Macron issued an appeal to American climate change scientists, engineers and entrepreneurs to come to France to continue their work.
“They will find in France a second homeland,” he said.
“I call on them. Come and work here with us, work together on concrete solutions for our climate, our environment. I can assure you, France will not give up the fight.”
Mr Trump’s predecessor Barack Obama, who helped forge the 2015 agreement, said the US had joined a “small handful of nations that reject the future”, and that other nations would now reap the future benefits of investment in low-carbon energy.
The European Commission said in a statement: “The world can continue to count on Europe for global leadership in the fight against climate change.
“Together, we will stand by the Paris Agreement, we will implement the Paris Agreement.”
Climate commissioner Miguel Arias Canete said the EU “deeply regrets” Mr Trump’s decision and will seek new alliances around the world – including among American supporters of the accord – to ensure that the agreement’s provisions are implemented.
Shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry said “the opprobrium of the world“ should ring in Mr Trump’s ears.
But she added: “He is not the only one. Also guilty are his so-called ’closest allies’ in our own Tory government, who have failed to raise even the quietest peep in protest.
“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.
“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.”
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.
“I remain committed to the Paris Agreement and working with other world cities on solutions to tackling emissions, harmful pollutants and safeguarding the environment.”
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 Ukip leader Paul Nuttall said: “Trump says he will withdraw from the Paris Agreement. Trump gets elected. Trump withdraws. That’s democracy, folks.”
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