Trump's Return to Power Signals Setback for Climate Action

Experts warn Donald Trump's election will hinder immediate climate action while long-term influences remain uncertain.

Donald Trump’s re-election to the presidency is expected to pose significant challenges to climate action efforts both domestically and internationally, according to climate experts. The 2023 UN climate talks, COP29, set to convene next week, will likely view Trump's administration as a substantial obstacle to reducing emissions and securing funding for climate initiatives in developing nations.

As a well-known climate skeptic, Trump has previously dismissed green energy initiatives as a "scam". However, with substantial public backing for renewable energy sources like wind and solar, his anticipated push for increased oil and gas production may face resistance. Notably, the recent surge in climate-related disasters, such as destructive hurricanes, emphasizes the urgency of climate discussions, even if they were overshadowed during the election campaign.

One major concern is Trump’s potential decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement—an accord that saw nearly all nations commit to cutting greenhouse gas emissions. Unlike his previous term, where the U.S.'s exit was delayed due to treaty rules, should he choose to withdraw again, the U.S. could be free within a year, allowing him to implement policies without accountability to global climate regulations. This worries supporters of international climate cooperation, as the current U.S. delegation at COP29 is viewed as ineffective. “The U.S. at this COP is not just a lame duck, it’s a dead duck,” commented Prof. Richard Klein, a climate policy expert.

Moreover, Trump is likely to shift U.S. climate policy by ramping up fossil fuel exploration and rolling back environmental regulations, further complicating international dialogues on climate funding, especially for developing nations that urgently need financial support to reduce emissions and combat climate change.

While the new administration's measures will likely impede immediate climate actions, experts point out that some of Trump's own party may oppose a full retreat from sustainable energy investments that have seen significant funding. Biden's Inflation Reduction Act, which allocated around $1 trillion towards green energy initiatives, has benefitted numerous Republican districts, indicating a potential conflict of interests regarding future energy policies.

Yet, while the outlook appears dismal for global climate cooperation in the short term, some leaders retain hope. “This election result is a significant setback for global climate action, but it will not thwart the ongoing shift towards decarbonizing our economies,” asserted Christiana Figueres, a former UN climate chief.