Story perspectives

UNGA Passes Fossil Fuel Subsidy Ban, Trump Leads Opposition

5/23/2026

Summary

Story summary

The United Nations General Assembly adopted a Vanuatu-championed resolution on 20 May 2026, passing 141-8 with 28 abstentions.
U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration, represented by Deputy Ambassador Tammy Bruce, joined Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iran, Belarus, Israel, Liberia and Yemen in opposing the measure, citing political demands on fossil fuels.
The non-binding text calls for ending inefficient fossil-fuel subsidies, a transition to 1.5 °C targets, and drops a proposed international damage register.

History

Historical Context

The Kyoto Protocol, signed in December 1997 by 192 governments, imposed a collective 5 % cut below 1990 emissions by 2012, but the United States and several others refused to ratify it. Decades later, on 20 May 2026 the UN General Assembly voted to end fossil-fuel subsidies—a proposal opposed by the US, Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iran and Belarus—seeking to meet the 1.5 °C goal.

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Story summary

The United Nations General Assembly adopted a Vanuatu-championed resolution on 20 May 2026, passing 141-8 with 28 abstentions.
U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration, represented by Deputy Ambassador Tammy Bruce, joined Saudi Arabia, Russia, Iran, Belarus, Israel, Liberia and Yemen in opposing the measure, citing political demands on fossil fuels.
The non-binding text calls for ending inefficient fossil-fuel subsidies, a transition to 1.5 °C targets, and drops a proposed international damage register.

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