U.S. President Donald Trump to sign 100 executive orders, including the Paris Agreement withdrawal. (Photo: White House's Youtube)
After inauguration, U.S. President Donald Trump is expected to sign 100 executive orders, including withdrawing from the Paris Agreement, declaring an energy emergency, rolling back fossil fuel and emission regulations, and rescinding the electric vehicle mandate, vowing to dismantle the green new deal championed by the Biden administration.
Trump paves the way for increased fossil fuel production
During his first term, Trump had already withdrawn from the Paris Agreement, and now he is reaffirming the U.S.'s stance of non-participation in global carbon reduction efforts.
This move could hinder countries' progress toward achieving net-zero goals, especially as technological advances are driving up electricity demand, offsetting some of the carbon reduction benefits of renewable energy. There is growing concern about whether this action will impact the revised Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) already submitted, or lead to changes in carbon reduction targets for 2035.
This marks the second time in a decade that the U.S. has exited the Paris Agreement, joining nations like Iran, Libya, and Yemen, making the U.S. one of the few countries not involved. The withdrawal, however, will not take immediate effect, as per United Nations rules, and will only be finalized one year after a formal notification is submitted.
Trump also declared a national energy emergency on his first day, invoking the president's emergency powers to facilitate increased fossil fuel production. Despite record-high oil and natural gas output under the Biden administration, Trump argues that the previous administration's policies have driven up energy costs.
Trump aims to boost fossil fuel extraction by opening up federal lands, including those in Alaska, to development, reversing bans on offshore oil drilling and liquid natural gas exports.
TIME's new Inauguration cover: Donald Trump's disruption is back https://t.co/f6thgzBMCY pic.twitter.com/LwsTz8sMyl
— TIME (@TIME) January 19, 2025
Trump's policies undermine EV development
In line with his promises, Trump signed an executive order temporarily halting the leasing of federal land for wind farm development. He also loosened emissions standards for cars and light trucks, rescinded the electric vehicle mandate, and removed subsidies deemed unfair to market operations. Additionally, energy efficiency regulations for household appliances were overturned.
The U.S., the second-largest carbon emitter globally after China, is now moving away from policies aimed at promoting sustainability. Trump's actions have sparked immediate international criticism.
Abby Maxman, executive director of Oxfam America, stated that the U.S. should lead the fight for a livable planet, as climate disasters like the wildfires in Los Angeles are already affecting American citizens.
Meanwhile, Kathy Hochul, Governor of New York, and Michelle Lujan Grisham, Governor of New Mexico, both co-chairs of the U.S. Climate Alliance, issued a joint statement asserting that the U.S. Constitution guarantees states' rights and that state-level actions to address climate change will not be hindered by the federal government.
Source: NYT, Bloomberg, Reuters(1), (2), White House(1), (2)
