How a Trump Victory Could Impact Future Environmental Policies

If Donald Trump were to secure victory, his administration’s environmental policies would likely build on his previous term’s approach, emphasizing energy independence, deregulation, and prioritizing economic growth in traditional energy sectors. This would have wide-reaching implications for environmental policy, with potential shifts in federal priorities, international relations, and energy sector investments.

A Trump administration would likely continue to roll back environmental regulations, particularly those aimed at reducing fossil fuel emissions and protecting natural habitats. Trump has maintained that these regulations hinder economic growth and place an unnecessary burden on industries like coal, oil, and natural gas. His administration could move to further relax emissions standards, permitting processes, and other regulations, which could boost short-term economic gains in energy sectors. However, this would likely increase carbon emissions and impact air and water quality in certain regions, raising concerns about long-term environmental health.

A Trump administration would likely shift resources away from clean energy programs, such as those supporting solar, wind, and electric vehicle industries. Federal investment in renewable energy has been a critical driver of innovation and job creation in the clean energy sector. Without these federal incentives and subsidies, the renewable sector may experience slower growth, impacting the expansion of sustainable energy sources and jobs tied to green technologies. The administration would likely prioritize oil and gas projects, potentially slowing the nation’s transition to renewable energy and its progress toward net-zero emissions goals.

Trump has expressed skepticism toward international climate agreements, viewing them as unfairly disadvantaging American industries. His administration withdrew from the Paris Climate Accord in 2017, arguing that it imposed restrictive obligations on the U.S. without sufficient reciprocity from other countries. A second Trump term would likely see continued distancing from international climate collaborations, with a focus instead on American energy sovereignty. This could affect global climate initiatives and weaken collective action, as other countries may lose a critical partner in their efforts to combat climate change.

In line with a deregulation approach, a Trump administration might leave more environmental policy decisions to individual states, rather than enforcing stringent federal oversight. This would allow states to set their own standards for emissions, resource management, and pollution control, giving them more freedom to prioritize local economic concerns. While states that favor green policies could still pursue aggressive climate goals, other states with economies that rely on fossil fuel industries might opt for more lenient environmental standards, potentially leading to inconsistent environmental protections across the country.

While Trump’s policy approach is less focused on climate mitigation, his administration might choose to increase funding for climate adaptation projects, especially as natural disasters become more frequent. These projects include infrastructure resilience and disaster relief, helping communities cope with climate effects already underway. This shift would reflect a “prepare and protect” strategy rather than a “prevent” approach, addressing the immediate impacts of climate change without focusing as heavily on reducing emissions or adopting sustainable practices.

In summary, a Trump victory would likely shape U.S. environmental policy around energy independence, state-driven regulations, and a focus on economic growth within traditional energy sectors. While this approach may benefit industries tied to fossil fuels and reduce regulatory costs, it could challenge the nation’s progress in renewable energy development, climate mitigation, and international climate leadership, influencing the future environmental landscape in significant ways.