With Donald Trump’s comeback victory in the U.S. presidential race, accompanied by Republican control of Congress, the future of global climate policy is now uncertain. Trump, a known climate-change skeptic, has signaled plans that may reverse Biden-era climate policies, including withdrawing from the Paris Agreement and cutting green energy funding. These potential moves could challenge global climate efforts, but experts remain optimistic that international cooperation and the ongoing shift toward clean energy will continue to drive progress.
Domestically, Trump has promised to scale back spending on green energy initiatives, encourage increased production of fossil fuels, and withdraw the U.S. from the Paris Agreement, a move he previously made during his first term. Reports also suggest he may consider withdrawing from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and reducing U.S. financial contributions to climate initiatives in developing countries.
While many climate experts express concern over these potential setbacks, they remain resolute that the global shift toward clean energy and climate action is unstoppable. Todd Stern, former U.S. climate envoy under President Barack Obama, noted that Trump's policies will hinder efforts to reduce CO2 emissions in the U.S., which he described as “disappointing.” However, Stern emphasized that the momentum behind clean technology and renewable energy is so strong that it will continue to progress despite political setbacks. He pointed out that much of the funding for clean energy in the U.S. is directed toward states with Republican lawmakers who will not want to see job losses from cuts to green energy projects.
Similarly, Gina McCarthy, former U.S. EPA administrator, echoed Stern’s sentiment, asserting that the shift to clean energy is inevitable. She highlighted that public servants, including those in the EPA, are committed to following the science and ensuring climate action continues at the local level, regardless of federal policies. She added that organizations like Bloomberg's America Is All In would work with cities, states, and the private sector to prevent a reversal of the climate progress made thus far.
On the international stage, leaders such as Simon Stiell, head of the UNFCCC, and Christiana Figueres, former UNFCCC executive secretary, warned that the effects of climate change are already severely impacting nations across the globe. Stiell emphasized that global cooperation to reduce emissions and strengthen resilience in supply chains is necessary for an economy, including those in the G20, to be able to withstand unchecked global warming. Figueres, a key architect of the 2015 Paris Agreement, stated that while Trump's policies may be a setback, they will not prevent the ongoing global transition to decarbonization. She argued that clean energy technologies will continue to outcompete fossil fuels because they are healthier and more efficient and offer more stability in an increasingly volatile energy market. However, it's important to note that a shift towards fossil fuels could have long-term economic implications, potentially leading to job losses in the renewable energy sector and increased healthcare costs due to air pollution.
Other global leaders, such as Izabella Teixeira, former environment minister of Brazil, and Laurence Tubiana, CEO of the European Climate Foundation, also underscored that the fight against climate change remains crucial, regardless of political challenges in the U.S., as global cooperation and the transition to clean energy are essential to mitigating its impacts and securing a sustainable future. Teixeira pointed out that American society shares responsibility for global warming and will ultimately be part of the solution. At the same time, Tubiana emphasized the resilience of the Paris Agreement, reassuring the audience that it remains strong and is not dependent on the policies of any one country.
On the ground, the impact of a Trump presidency could be felt most acutely in financing clean energy projects. Avantika Goswami, climate lead at the Centre for Science and Environment, warned that cuts to U.S. climate finance could hinder global decarbonization efforts. She noted that the U.S. has significant influence over the global financial system and could use its power to shape climate policies. Meanwhile, experts like Mary Robinson, former Irish president, and Bill Hare, a leading climate scientist, called for a continued commitment to climate action, stressing the urgent need for global climate finance given the devastating effects already being felt worldwide. This stress on the need for global climate finance can make the audience feel the urgency of the situation and the importance of immediate action.
In the U.S., states and non-state actors are expected to play a crucial role in maintaining progress on clean energy, as highlighted by the executive director of the Clean Air Task Force, Armond Cohen. He pointed to the strong momentum behind wind and solar energy deployments, even in conservative states like Texas, where solar energy development is outpacing that in California. Despite federal setbacks, this continued growth in the clean energy sector demonstrates the enduring demand for sustainable energy solutions. Non-state actors, including businesses, cities, and civil society organizations, have been increasingly stepping up to fill the void left by federal policies. Their efforts, combined with the continued growth in the clean energy sector, offer hope for continued progress in the fight against climate change.
At the international level, nations such as China, the EU, and other emerging economies must take charge of decarbonization. Yao Zhe, global policy advisor at Greenpeace East Asia, pointed out that China’s role in climate action has become increasingly pivotal, particularly as global expectations for climate leadership continue to grow. Li Shuo, director of China Climate Hub, echoed this view, noting that if Trump pulls the U.S. out of the UNFCCC, it will be up to China and the EU, along with other emerging economies, to step up their efforts and ensure that global climate cooperation continues. This emphasis on the role of developing nations can make the audience feel empowered and integral to the fight against climate change.
In Africa, leaders like Mohamed Adow, director of Power Shift Africa, and Raila Odinga, former Kenyan prime minister, warned that the global transition away from fossil fuels is essential for the world’s most vulnerable populations. They stressed that the U.S. must continue to support global climate finance, particularly for Africa, which bears the brunt of climate impacts despite contributing little to global emissions.
In India, experts like Arunabha Ghosh, CEO of the Council on Energy, Environment, and Water, highlighted the potential challenges posed by U.S. trade barriers on green technologies, especially solar exports from India. Ghosh emphasized the need for strategic collaboration between countries to deepen green trade and accelerate the global energy transition.
As the world confronts the rising threat of climate change, the outcome of the U.S. elections has underscored the need for continued global leadership. While Trump’s presidency could pose significant challenges to climate action, experts remain hopeful that international cooperation, innovation, and the continued momentum toward clean energy will carry the world forward in the fight against climate change.
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