Trump’s Climate Policies: What to Expect as He Returns to Power
- Rich countries have agreed to provide financial aid to poorer nations for climate action.
- Hilmar Mjelde, a professor at the Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, believes Trump's return could severely undermine climate efforts.
- Recently, nations finalized a climate financing agreement that sets a target of at least $300 billion annually by 2035.
Concerns About Climate Agreements Amid Trump’s Leadership
Rich countries have agreed to provide financial aid to poorer nations for climate action. However, experts warn that this may change if Donald Trump assumes power again.
Hilmar Mjelde, a professor at the Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, believes Trump’s return could severely undermine climate efforts. He predicts that Trump and his party will drastically cut U.S. contributions to climate financing. Mjelde describes a future Trump administration as the most hostile to climate initiatives in U.S. history.
Recently, nations finalized a climate financing agreement that sets a target of at least $300 billion annually by 2035. President Biden called it a significant step, but many developing countries demand more support.
Experts like Eirik Løkke from the Civita think tank also doubt Trump’s commitment to international climate agreements. Løkke believes Trump will prioritize abandoning the Paris Agreement and neglect funding commitments made during climate talks.
Trump has promised to increase U.S. oil production, which he views as essential for lowering fuel prices. During a July speech, he declared, "We will drill, baby, drill."
The political climate surrounding international cooperation on climate change is at a low point in the U.S. Trump’s administration is aligned with big business interests, making true climate action unlikely. Mjelde emphasizes that Republicans will not prioritize climate issues until they recognize it as vital to national security or economic stability.
Despite potential setbacks, there is still action on climate policies at the state level. States like California maintain authority to implement their own climate strategies.
In summary, experts express skepticism about Trump’s commitment to climate agreements, suggesting that a return to leadership may halt progress on financial support for climate action globally. Meanwhile, pressure from other states may still lead to improvements in environmental policies, even if federal support wanes.