Drill, Drill, Drill: Trump’s Energy Agenda and Its Threat to Climate Progress
BY MATTHEW MEGWAI
On November 6, Donald Trump was confirmed elected as the 47th President of the United States, a development that could have significant repercussions on global climate change efforts. While the election results were expected to take longer to confirm, they were declared within 24 hours, signalling an immediate shift. With Trump’s return to power, the climate movement braces for potential rollbacks on the incremental progress made under the Biden administration.
Climate Progress under Biden
President Biden’s administration made historic strides in addressing climate change, passing laws to support sustainable infrastructure and reduce emissions. The “Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act”, passed in November 2021, directed $105 billion toward public transit, allocated $110 billion for roads and bridges, and included climate mitigation measures such as pedestrian and cyclist access. The “Inflation Reduction Act” in 2022 committed $391 billion to reducing carbon emissions, classifying carbon dioxide as an air pollutant under the Clean Air Act, strengthening the EPA’s regulatory power. These actions supported the U.S.’s Paris Agreement goal of cutting greenhouse gas emissions by 50% by 2030.
However, Trump’s presidency raises fears of swift reversals, especially as he pledged in his acceptance speech to “drill, drill, drill” America’s oil resources, signalling a potential return to 2016 policies when he withdrew the U.S. from the Paris Agreement and championed an “America First” energy strategy.
The Climate Impact of a “Drill-First” Policy
Trump’s agenda likely signals a resurgence in fossil fuel production, which could exacerbate emissions. Although the United States is no longer the top global emitter, it still produces around 5 billion metric tons of CO₂ annually—13.5% of the global total. Reinstating aggressive fossil fuel production could exhaust the U.S.’s carbon budget, contributing to climate disruption. According to Scientific American, the U.S. has already exceeded its share of global carbon allowances.
Recent climate-related disasters emphasize the urgency of emissions control. In Spain, extreme flooding devastated regions, causing hundreds of deaths and severe economic impacts, with countless people trapped by record rainfall and infrastructure damage. This tragedy reflects the vulnerability of nations worldwide, especially those in the Global South, where countries such as Nigeria, Cameroon, and Chad have suffered from intensified rainfall, and dam collapse resulting in widespread displacement, infrastructure damage, and loss of life. Nigeria, for example, saw catastrophic floods on September 10, 2024, which forced thousands from their homes and overwhelmed local displacement sites lacking clean water and sanitation.
Looking Ahead to COP29
The upcoming COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, will be pivotal. Delegates from around the globe will gather to negotiate climate strategies, but they must also prepare for the U.S.’s possible withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and the resumption of large-scale oil production. Addressing this challenge may require a global contingency plan, including economic sanctions, should the U.S. revert to policies that counteract emissions goals.
In this context, the Global South should take a leading role in advocating for strict measures. Developing nations are disproportionately impacted by climate change and must urge world leaders to enforce commitments to emissions reduction, as unchecked emissions in one nation can lead to climate hardships for others.
- Matthew Megwai is Programme Officer, Africa Network for Environment and Economic Justice.