Many saw it coming, many didn’t: a Republican victory in the USA, with Donald Trump returning as President, replacing Joe Biden. Defeating Kamala Harris, Trump’s views don’t align with hers on the environment. 

Kamala Harris

On the international stage, Kamala Harris supported the administration’s re-joining the Paris Climate Agreement in 2021. She and President Biden have been vocal about the need for international cooperation in reducing emissions and promoting clean energy technology worldwide.

Kamala Harris’s approach to environmental issues was centred on ambitious climate action, prioritising environmental justice, and ensuring that vulnerable communities benefit from climate investments.

“Climate change is an existential threat, and we are committed to addressing it in a way that not only helps our environment, but creates millions of good-paying jobs,” Kamala Harris said in 2021.

Donald Trump and the environment 

Donald Trump has made various statements on environmental issues, often emphasising economic growth and energy independence over environmental restrictions. 

Here are some notable quotes that reflect his views:

  1. On Climate Change: Trump has been skeptical of mainstream climate science and climate action policies. In 2012, he tweeted, “The concept of global warming was created by and for the Chinese in order to make U.S. manufacturing non-competitive.” Although he later said this was a joke, he has continued to question climate science.
  2. On the Paris Agreement: in 2017, he announced the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement, stating, “I was elected to represent the citizens of Pittsburgh, not Paris.” He argued that the accord imposed unfair economic burdens on the U.S. and favoured other countries. The U.S. and the Paris Agreement  The U.S. initially joined the Paris Agreement under President Obama in 2015. However, in 2017, President Donald Trump announced the country’s withdrawal, citing economic disadvantages and a lack of fairness to the U.S., and officially exited in 2020. President Joe Biden rejoined the agreement shortly after taking office in 2021, restoring U.S. participation and updating its climate commitments. 
  3. On Energy and the Environment: during a 2020 campaign rally, Trump said, “I want crystal clear water and air. I want beautiful clean air. We have the cleanest air, the cleanest water.” He emphasised that his policies focus on balancing economic interests with environmental protection, often claiming the U.S. has some of the “cleanest” environmental standards.
  4. On Renewable Energy: Trump has criticised renewable energy, especially wind energy. In 2019, he said, “If you have a windmill anywhere near your house, congratulations, your house just went down 75 percent in value… and they say the noise causes cancer.” He’s been a strong proponent of fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas.
  5. On Deregulation: Trump’s administration rolled back numerous environmental regulations. In a 2017 speech, he explained, “We’re bringing back jobs, big league. We’re bringing them back at the plant level; we’re bringing them back at the mine level… We have ended the war on American energy, and we have ended the war on beautiful, clean coal.”

While Trump has occasionally spoken about environmental protection, his focus has primarily been on reducing regulations that he believes hinder economic growth and American energy independence. His environmental stance has often contrasted with those advocating stricter climate policies and renewable energy expansion.

And yet Trump emerged as victor – due partly to MAGA?

MAGA (Make America Great Again) emphasises a foreign policy that prioritises American interests. Trump pursued policies that were less focused on international alliances and more on direct benefits to the U.S., renegotiating trade deals, pulling out of international agreements he viewed as unfavourable (e.g., the Paris Climate Agreement mentioned above and the Iran Nuclear Deal), and reducing U.S. military involvement abroad.

Crystal ball gazing

Who knows, with any certainty, what the next four years will bring to the global renewable sector?

In the UK, we have seen a similarly polarising Labour government win an electoral landslide – yet, here, and across much of Europe and globally, climate change is not denied and there are real indicators that Keir Starmer and his team will invest heavily in offshore renewable energy. 

Whatever your political views, offshore wind continues to have a bright future, despite the news from across the Atlantic. 

How HSEQ-360 Limited can help

HSEQ-360 Ltd utilise a team with wide ranging skills, competencies and experiences; including chartered engineers, chartered health and safety and chartered quality professionals. HSEQ-360 can certainly review your company’s operations and management systems and implement sustainability strategies which are reasonable and practicable for your business.

We operate a management system which is certified to ISO9001, ISO14001 & ISO45001; and we are specialists in developing bespoke management systems for your business. We can complete an environmental impact on your behalf and can provide practical recommendations on how to proceed environmentally.

For further information, please see our website, follow our active LinkedIn channel,  or contact a member of the team on info@hseq-360.co.uk