Trump Administration's Bold Moves Against Climate Change Policies

Jan 30, 2026, 2:53 AM

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The Trump administration is undertaking a significant rollback of climate change policies that were previously established under the Biden administration. This aggressive shift is marked by a commitment to deregulation and a renewed focus on fossil fuel production, fundamentally altering the trajectory of US climate policy.

Since taking office, President Trump has positioned himself as a climate change skeptic, often referring to global warming as a "hoax." His administration has moved swiftly to reverse many climate policies, including withdrawing the United States from the Paris Agreement, which had set ambitious emissions reduction targets for 2030, 2035, and 2050.

One of the most significant legislative initiatives is the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBB), which undermines progress made in deploying renewable energy technologies. This act is seen as a direct challenge to the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), which had previously accelerated the growth of clean energy initiatives.

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has been at the forefront of these changes, revoking key emissions regulations across various sectors. This includes the power and transport sectors, effectively stripping the agency of its authority to regulate greenhouse gas emissions comprehensively. Moreover, the Trump administration has invoked emergency powers to expand oil and gas drilling on federal lands, further entrenching fossil fuel interests.

These actions collectively represent the most comprehensive climate policy rollback the Climate Action Tracker has ever analyzed. Projections indicate that US emissions under Trump’s policies will decrease by only 19%-30% by 2030 compared to 2005 levels, a stark contrast to the Biden administration's expected reductions of 29%-39% in the same timeframe.

The administration's deregulatory push also targets the renewable energy sector directly. The OBBB terminates federal tax incentives for wind and solar power generation, which had been instrumental in driving growth in renewables under the IRA. At the same time, plans are in place to develop more new fossil gas-fired power plants than any other country, which will lock in substantial emissions from the power sector for decades.

Corporate America’s engagement with climate change has also shifted dramatically during this period. A strong grassroots pushback from Republican state treasurers against environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives has led many corporations to retract their commitments to climate action. This retreat has been bolstered by the broader political climate, which has become increasingly hostile to climate policies.

The geopolitical landscape has also played a role in shaping these climate policies. The invasion of Ukraine by Russia has scrambled energy markets, complicating transitions away from fossil fuels for many European countries, thus further entrenching reliance on oil and gas production in the US.

Despite the challenges posed by this rollback, subnational actors, including states and cities, continue to implement ambitious emissions reduction measures. However, the federal government's stance under the Trump administration poses significant obstacles to achieving meaningful climate action on a national scale.

In summary, the Trump administration's aggressive reversal of climate change policies not only impacts US emissions trajectories but also signals a broader shift in global climate leadership. The return to fossil fuel dependency and the dismantling of regulatory frameworks threaten to undermine both domestic and international efforts to address climate change effectively.

The long-term consequences of these policies remain uncertain, but the commitment to deregulation and fossil fuels could have profound implications for the future of climate action.

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