Climate Change Policy During the Trump Administration

Introduction

Climate change policy in the United States experienced a significant transformation under the Trump Administration. Departing from the climate-focused actions of its predecessor, such as the Paris Agreement, the Trump Administration enacted a series of policy changes that aimed to stimulate economic growth, primarily through deregulation and reducing the United States' commitments to international climate agreements. Ultimately, the Trump Administration significantly influenced U.S. climate change policy, but its overall impact was marked by a shift away from environmental regulations and international cooperation, which has often been viewed as detrimental to climate change mitigation efforts.

Overview

The Trump Administration's approach to climate change policy, which largely manifested as rollbacks on environmental regulations, was a marked departure from prior administrations (Konisky & Woods, 2018). This approach did indeed shape policy, but the question of its success is largely dependent on the perspective from which one chooses to view it. For instance, a central theme of the Trump Administration's climate change policy was deregulation. The administration rolled back many environmental regulations that were implemented during the Obama era, arguing that these restrictions hampered economic growth and domestic industries, particularly in sectors such as coal, oil, and gas. Notable examples of this include the decision to repeal the Clean Power Plan, a policy aimed at reducing carbon pollution from power plants, and the weakening of fuel efficiency standards for automobiles (Arroyo, 2018).

In 2017, President Trump also announced the U.S.'s withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, a global pact to fight climate change, claiming it imposed an unfair economic burden on the U.S. (Zhang et al., 2017). This decision was a clear signal of the administration's disregard for international cooperation on climate change. From the perspective of economic growth and industry deregulation, it was argued that these policies were successful (Gruszczynski & Lawrence, 2019). There were instances of short-term economic and job growth in the fossil fuel sector during Trump's term. However, such success comes with an asterisk, as these advancements were often accompanied by potential long-term environmental costs.

But from an environmental and climate change mitigation perspective, these actions have been seen as setbacks. The administration's rollbacks of environmental protections likely increased the country's greenhouse gas emissions compared to what they would have been under the prior rules. Plus, in terms of international relations, the Trump Administration moved away from precedent set by previous administrations with regards to climate policy.

Rolling Back Regulations

The rollbacks of environmental protections during the Trump administration represented a shift away from climate change mitigation. These actions were intentional, affecting different sectors and regulations, but always with the purpose of easing industry regulations with regard to climate policy. A significant focus was on dismantling Obama-era environmental policies, which were often viewed as overly restrictive by Trump's administration.

One of the most significant was the repeal of the Clean Power Plan (CPP). Introduced by President Obama in 2015, the CPP aimed to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from electrical power generation by 32% by 2030, relative to 2005 levels (Keyes et al., 2019). It did so by setting limits on carbon dioxide emissions for power plants and providing states with a flexible framework to reduce emissions through measures such as improving heat rates at existing coal-fired power plants and increasing the use of renewable energy. By revoking this plan, the Trump administration effectively removed a major mechanism for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

In addition, the administration worked to relax fuel efficiency standards for cars and trucks, another significant source of greenhouse gas emissions. The Obama administration had previously set ambitious targets for average fuel economy, reaching 54.5 miles per gallon for new vehicles by model year 2025 (Keyes et al., 2019). However, the Trump administration proposed freezing the standards at the 2020 level of 37 miles per gallon.

The Trump administration also reversed limits on methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas, from oil and gas operations. It repealed a requirement for companies to monitor and fix methane leaks, and another that prevented the venting and flaring of methane on public and tribal lands (Krupp, 2017).

These rollbacks, and several others enacted during Trump's presidency, likely increased the United States' greenhouse gas emissions compared to what they would have been under the prior rules. By loosening or removing regulations on industries such as power generation, transportation, and oil and gas, these policies allowed for greater greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to global warming and other environmental problems.

Therefore, from an environmental and climate change mitigation perspective, these actions were seen as significant setbacks. While they may have provided short-term economic advantages to certain sectors, they were arguably detrimental to the longer-term goal of curbing greenhouse gas emissions and slowing the pace of global climate change.

The Paris Agreement

Furthermore, the withdrawal from the Paris Agreement weakened international efforts to combat climate change and arguably ceded leadership in global climate governance to other nations,...

…help developing countries reduce their emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change. This support often takes the form of contributions to international funds, such as the Green Climate Fund (GCF). When the Trump administration ceased contributions to the GCF, it did not just affect the fund's available resourcesit also ignaled a departure from the U.S.'s commitment to this principle.

Additionally, the Trump administration's climate change policy has influenced international trade and diplomacy. For example, the administration's focus on domestic fossil fuel industries led to changes in trade policy, such as the imposition of tariffs on solar panels (Shum, 2019). This move was seen as protectionist and created tensions with trade partners, impacting international relations.

Likewise, the Trump administration's stance also led to shifts in diplomatic relationships and alliances. Countries that prioritized climate change found themselves distanced from the U.S., while nations with similar views on deregulation and fossil fuel production may have found common ground with Trump's policies. This dynamic could influence diplomatic relations, alliances, and power dynamics well beyond the issue of climate change. Thus, even beyond the withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, the Trump administration influenced international climate policy and relations through changes in financial contributions to environmental initiatives, shifts in trade policy, and modifications in diplomatic relations. These actions collectively signify a retrenchment from a traditionally active U.S. role in international climate policy, with implications for the global effort to combat climate change.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Trump Administration undeniably exerted significant influence on climate change policy, both domestically and internationally. From an economic and industry deregulation standpoint, the administration indeed demonstrated success, as reflected in the short-term boosts for certain industries like fossil fuels. These actions echoed the administration's commitment to prioritizing domestic economic concerns and its perception of balancing the regulatory landscape. Conversely, from an environmental perspective, these policies represented significant setbacks. The administration's rollbacks on critical environmental protections likely increased the country's greenhouse gas emissions compared to projections under prior regulations. The withdrawal from the Paris Agreement not only undermined global climate cooperation but also signified a shift away from the U.S.'s traditionally proactive role in global environmental governance. Furthermore, changes in international trade policies and reductions in financial support for international climate initiatives highlighted a retreat from established principles of international climate finance, thus reshaping U.S.'s standing in global climate negotiations. These shifts have potential long-term implications, creating economic, environmental, and diplomatic ripple effects that continue to reverberate. Therefore, the Trump administration's…