The green energy revolution will continue in the United States, “regardless of who is in the White House”, Debbie Weyl, acting director, US, at the World Resources Institute, has commented, following president Donald Trump’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, and other environmental policies.
“President Trump is trying to turn back the clock on America’s clean energy leadership at the expense of American people and their health,” Weyl commented. “If realised, president Trump’s actions would sacrifice the United States’ competitiveness globally, raise energy prices for American families, and pollute our air.
“Pledging to roll back climate policies that have created more than 400,000 good-paying American jobs will only hurt workers and our economy.”
Status quo
She added that despite the 47th president’s efforts to “shatter progress” on climate change issues, local governments are set to maintain the status quo, with a “band of governors, mayors and other leaders committed to stand their ground and enact low-carbon policies that cut costs, create jobs and build cleaner communities.”
Within hours of assuming the presidency, Trump had announced the withdrawal of the US from the Paris Agreement for the second time, and pledged to roll back Biden administration policies relating to the environment.
‘Deeply disappointing’
Elsewhere, as the We Mean Business Coalition noted in a statement, while it is ‘deeply disappointing’ that the US is withdrawing from the Paris Agreement, ‘one country’s decision does not change the global course of action’.
‘Many of the world’s major economies are putting forward ambitious commitments in their updated national climate plans, as designed by the Paris Agreement,’ it said. ‘They understand that these plans are a mechanism to attract investment to their countries and gain competitive advantage.
‘And many of the world’s largest businesses are working relentlessly on reducing emissions and investing in clean solutions. They are conscious of the increasing climate risks they face in their operations and value chains, and proactively managing them as the safest route to competitiveness and financial success.’
The We Mean Business Coalition pointed out that the US has been a victim of climate change on multiple occasions in recent years, with Hurricane Helene killing over 200 people in 2024, and this year’s Los Angeles fires set to become the costliest in the country’s history, with some estimates approaching $250 billion.
‘Companies need market stability, policy consistency and predictability to make long-term business investments, and a shifting policy direction discourages investment in America,’ it added. ‘The US federal government’s step away from international policy discussions that are shaping the clean energy future is a disservice to American businesses and people, opening the door for other major economies to attract greater investment and talent.’ Read more here and here.
