The far-right proposals in Project 2025 would effectively abandon America's leadership role in addressing the climate crisis and promote policies that could increase global temperatures, undermining developing countries' efforts to remain resilient against climate impacts.
A new analysis from the Center for American Progress (CAP) outlines how Project 2025 would replace the federal government's extensive institutional knowledge and progress on climate solutions with what it describes as "dangerous climate denialism and obstructionism." According to CAP, these policies would harm various aspects of U.S. international engagement, including climate cooperation among proactive countries, financing for vulnerable communities worldwide, national security measures protecting defense assets and geopolitical interests, and trade policies focused on workers and job creation.
The proposals are characterized by a common theme: relinquishing global climate leadership in favor of benefiting large oil and gas companies. Specifically, Project 2025 aims to:
- Withdraw the United States from the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement.
- Replace career civil servants with politically aligned appointees, thereby eliminating deep expertise and relationships crucial for advancing international climate change solutions.
- Cut funding for programs aiding developing nations in adapting to climate change impacts.
- Neglect national security implications of climate change-driven geopolitical tensions.
- Implement trade policies that could make the American economy less resilient, sustainable, and equitable for workers and consumers.
"The policies proposed in Project 2025 would seriously jeopardize the world’s ability to avoid the worst impacts of climate change," said Courtney Federico, associate director for International Climate at CAP and co-author of the column. "To truly protect American interests, preserve the planet, and secure our future, the United States must embrace climate leadership rather than walk away from it."
The full column titled “Project 2025 Would Jeopardize Global Climate Action” is authored by Courtney Federico alongside Frances Colón, Mike Williams, Trevor Sutton, Kalina Gibson, and Ashley Orlet.
For more information or to speak with an expert on this topic, please contact Sam Hananel at [email protected].
