In brief
The Exxon Mobil chief cautions President-elect Trump against leaving the Paris climate accord, emphasizing the need for unified global emission policies.
Darren Woods, the chief executive of Exxon Mobil, issued a warning to President-elect Donald J. Trump regarding the potential ramifications of the United States withdrawing from the Paris climate agreement. Speaking at the global climate conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, Woods noted that such a move could create a significant void in the ongoing negotiations aimed at combating climate change.In an exclusive interview, Woods highlighted the importance of climate negotiations as a platform for Trump to enact practical and effective environmental policies. “We need a global system for managing global emissions,” Woods remarked to The New York Times. He suggested that Trump, who has spoken about a return to pragmatic governance, could apply a similar strategy to environmental issues.Woods went on to stress the essential role of government in incentivizing the energy sector's transition to cleaner alternatives while ensuring profitability. “The government role is extremely important and one that they haven’t been successfully fulfilling, quite frankly,” he stated.His presence at the summit was particularly significant given the absence of major figures, including President Biden and executives from leading oil companies such as Shell and Chevron. The gathering, attended primarily by diplomats and a select few industry leaders, took place in Azerbaijan, a nation rich in oil reserves and historical ties to the former Soviet Union.