With global temperatures set to rise more than 2.7 degrees Fahrenheit (1.5 degrees Celsius) above pre-industrial levels within the next few years, nations urgently need to cut carbon emissions to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. A new report shows that America’s retreat from climate action is seriously undermining those efforts.

Scientists with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) found that U.S. carbon emissions rose by 133 megatons last year, far exceeding all other major economies. The increase was driven by surging electricity demand and a rebound of coal power generation, according to the report. The U.S. also tied with Russia for the highest per capita carbon emissions at nearly 18 tons.

Trump administration policies helped drive that increase and have significantly worsened U.S. emissions projections, the report states.…