WASHINGTON - One year after Donald Trump announced its exit, the US has today officially withdrawn from the Paris Climate Agreement.

Although Joe Biden, who looks likely to win the White House, said he would immediately re-join the agreement, his ambitions “may well be stunted” by the US Senate, The Guardian says.

The Senate currently leans towards remaining in Republican control following yesterday’s vote.

UN and partners express regret over US departure from Paris climate accord.

The UN climate change secretariat, UNFCCC, has underlined its commitment to work with stakeholders in the United States and beyond, to accelerate climate action, in line with an historic treaty on limiting global warming and curbing greenhouse gas emissions.

Under the Paris Agreement, countries pledge to take action to keep temperature rise to below two degrees Celsius and limit global warming to 1.5 degrees.

The Paris Agreement allows for a party to leave the deal at any time after three years from the date on which it entered into force for that State.

Withdrawal would take effect one year after receipt of official notification.

The US, under the Obama administration, acceded to the Paris Agreement on 3 September 2016, with entry into force occurring two months later.

In August 2017, the Trump administration formally notified the UN Secretary-General of its intention to withdraw from the accord as soon as it was eligible.

Next month marks five years since representatives from more than 190 countries met in the French capital and adopted the agreement.

This year, the UN was forced to postpone its latest global climate change conference, known as COP26, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

It will be held in Glasgow, Scotland, next November, hosted by the UK in partnership with Italy.