A Timeline of Actions Against Sustainability and Climate by Trump

The timeline below highlights a continuation of US President Donald Trump's opposition to climate change policies that aim to mitigate the effects of climate change and promote sustainability. Currently, the actions show a clear preference for economic growth through fossil fuels, deregulation, and opposition to global climate cooperation.

Here's a comprehensive timeline of actions that President Donald Trump's administration initiated after taking office in 2025:

January 2025:

• January 20, 2025 (Executive Order 14162) – President Trump directs the U.S. to formally withdraw from the Paris Climate Agreement again, with a clear commitment to reorienting U.S. foreign policy and environmental strategy around economic growth via fossil fuels.

  
  

• January 20, 2025 (Executive Order 14148) – Trump rescinds several key environmental and climate policies, including:

  • Actions from the previous administration that expanded renewable energy incentives.

  • Environmental justice initiatives related to climate change.

  • Regulations on emissions from power plants, setting the stage for further deregulation.

February 2025:

• February 19, 2025 - The Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) proposed a rule to reverse decades of environmental review processes under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). This action would end nearly 50 years of federal procedures designed to assess the environmental impact of large federal projects, potentially fast-tracking approvals but weakening environmental oversight. (Environmental and Energy Brief)

  
  

• February 20, 2025: President Trump signed Executive Order 14154, which declared a national energy emergency to prioritize the expansion of domestic fossil fuel production. This order focused on removing regulatory obstacles to oil and gas extraction, as well as the development of critical minerals, while promoting energy projects that favored traditional energy sources over renewable alternatives.

  
  

• February 20, 2025: In another significant move, the administration issued Executive Order 14155, directing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to review and potentially revoke its 2009 decision that classified greenhouse gases as pollutants under the Clean Air Act. If revoked, this would severely limit the EPA's ability to regulate emissions from industries such as power plants and transportation.

  
  

• February 20, 2025: The administration took a step back from renewable energy efforts by issuing Executive Order 14156, titled "Retreating from Offshore Wind Energy," which halted new offshore wind energy leases and called for a review of existing offshore wind projects. This decision effectively signaled a shift away from expanding wind energy development in favor of promoting fossil fuel-based energy sources.(Sustainable Tech Partner)

  
  

• February 20, 2025: President Trump also dissolved federal programs and offices dedicated to environmental justice, which aimed to protect marginalized communities from disproportionate environmental harms. The elimination of these initiatives signaled a withdrawal from efforts to address social and environmental inequalities. (Environmental and Energy Brief)

March 2025:

• March 3, 2025: President Trump issued an executive order aimed at increasing offshore drilling, particularly in regions like Alaska and the Atlantic Coast. The directive is focused on boosting domestic oil and gas production. However, it raises significant environmental risks, such as the possibility of oil spills and the exacerbation of greenhouse gas emissions. (El Estoque)

• March 20, 2025: Using emergency powers, President Trump signed an executive order instructing the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) to prioritize investment in the production of critical minerals within the United States. This shift refocused the DFC from its international development projects toward enhancing domestic mineral extraction, which could undermine global sustainability efforts. (Reuters)

  
  

• March 27, 2025: The EPA under the Trump administration opened a new process allowing companies to apply for exemptions from nine key clean air regulations via email. Among these regulations are those limiting mercury emissions from power plants and hazardous air pollutants from plastic production. This move is aimed at easing the regulatory burden on businesses but risks weakening air quality standards.

Also read: Why exactly has ESG been cancelled?

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