A few months ago, I published an article on American climate policy, driven by grand ambitions under President Joe Biden. In 2025, with the return of Donald Trump, ecology is no longer a priority. Withdrawal from international agreements, a return to fossil fuels, and environmental measures reversed… the process is in reverse gear. Here’s what’s happened since Trump took over the White House.
1. The Great Cleanup… of Environmental Measures
Upon his return to power, Trump attacked the environmental progress made under Joe Biden’s presidency. In just a few weeks, more than 100 environmental measures were weakened, suspended, or eliminated. This affects all areas: climate, air, water, biodiversity… nothing is spared.One of his first actions was to officially relaunch the United States’ withdrawal from the Paris Agreement, despite opposition from many experts and political figures.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is expected to see its budget cut by about 60 percent, leading to the elimination of many pollution control and natural resource protection programs.1 Support for electric vehicles and renewable energy was significantly reduced, while oil and gas permits were granted on a large scale on public lands.2 Trump declared a « national emergency » to promote fossil fuels, thus reviving coal and oil extraction projects, in defiance of climate warnings.3
This policy caused a rise in CO₂ emissions in the United States in the first half of 2025.
2. A Divided America
But not all Americans are following this new policy. Some states like California and New York are continuing to take climate action. They maintain ambitious targets for renewable energy and green mobility to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and slow global warming.4 NGOs, businesses, and citizens are also mobilizing. But without federal support, their actions remain limited.
Internationally, US policy has sparked negative reactions. Several partner countries have expressed concern, and some have even lowered their climate targets, fueling a domino effect.5 Indeed, the United States is perceived as a global power. When it backs down, it discourages other countries from making efforts.
3. Economic promises… but serious consequences for the Earth
Trump justifies his choices by promoting economic recovery: protecting jobs, reducing energy costs, and strengthening energy independence. But on the ground, these choices have alarming consequences: more pollution, more respiratory illnesses, more intense droughts, and more frequent natural disasters.
Meanwhile, actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions continue. But the federal government’s backsliding is slowing the collective momentum of the Biden years and weakening the country’s ability to address climate emergencies.
Donald Trump’s second term shows that American climate policy can shift at any moment. In a few months, years of efforts have been wiped out. But hope still exists: America is divided, and environmental resistance continues.Despite an uncertain future, it is not too late to change the scenario.
For more information :
- https://www.hklaw.com/en/insights/publications/2025/06/epa-proposes-significant-budget-reduction-for-fiscal-year-2026
- https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/sustainable-switch-trump-targets-wind-solar-cuts-2025-05-16/
- https://edition.cnn.com/2025/04/09/politics/emergency-executive-orders-trump-tariffs-what-matters
- https://www-theguardian-com.translate.goog/environment/2025/jan/30/climate-goals-states-trump?_x_tr_sl=en&_x_tr_tl=fr&_x_tr_hl=fr&_x_tr_pto=sc
- https://www.publicsenat.fr/actualites/environnement/donald-trump-president-quelles-sont-les-consequences-de-la-sortie-des-etats-unis-de-laccord-de-paris-sur-le-climat-0
