Trump Reshapes U.S. Energy Policy on Day One: Key Executive Orders and Their Impacts
On January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump took immediate action to overhaul the nation’s energy policies, signing a series of executive orders that signaled a dramatic shift in priorities. These orders address domestic energy supply, renewable energy projects, and regulatory policies, setting the stage for a new era of energy production and governance in the United States.
Trump Declares National Energy Emergency on Inauguration Day
In his inauguration speech on January 20, 2025, President Donald Trump reaffirmed his commitment to America’s energy dominance, promising bold actions to secure energy independence and support American industries. Energy was a key theme of his address, highlighting the importance of fossil fuels, reducing regulations, and prioritizing domestic production.
2024: UN President and WHO Highlight Climate Crisis in End-of-Year Warnings
2024 is on track to become the hottest year on record, marking the culmination of a decade of unprecedented heat, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO). The stark reality has prompted urgent calls to action from global leaders, including UN Secretary-General and WHO representatives.
Clean Coal: Trump’s Vision and the Challenges Ahead
Clean coal refers to the process of capturing carbon emissions from coal power plants and either storing them underground or repurposing them to reduce environmental impact. While it aims to make coal a more environmentally friendly energy source, critics argue that the technology is costly, energy-intensive, and not widely scalable.
Labour’s Clean Power Target: Balancing Ambition and Reality
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has outlined a bold vision for Britain’s energy future, announcing a target to achieve 95% clean power by 2030. The announcement was part of a broader "plan for change," which includes six major milestones designed to address critical national challenges, from housing to healthcare.
COP29 Concludes Amid Criticism of Insufficient Climate Finance Commitments
The COP29 summit in Baku ended with a mix of optimism and frustration over the Baku Finance Goal (BFG), the centerpiece agreement to address the financing needs of developing countries in combating climate change. While a headline target of $1.3 trillion annually by 2035 was adopted, critics argue the commitment falls short where it matters most—real, actionable funding.
As COP29 Negotiations Enter Final Days, Climate Finance Goals Remain Unresolved
As COP29 in Baku approaches its conclusion, discussions are intensifying over the New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance (NCQG). This trillion-dollar framework, designed to support developing countries in managing climate-related disasters and fostering prevention strategies, remains the summit’s most contentious issue.
Open Letter Calls for COP Reform Amidst Rising Climate Challenges
A collective of prominent climate experts has issued an open letter to global leaders and the UN leadership, advocating for significant reforms to the COP process. While recognizing the historic achievements of the Conference of the Parties (COP) in fostering global agreements on climate change, the signatories argue that the current framework is insufficient to address the urgent and escalating climate crisis.
COP29 Kicks Off in Azerbaijan Amid Controversy and Urgency
Today, the 29th annual Conference of the Parties (COP29) begins in Baku, Azerbaijan, drawing world leaders from nearly 200 nations to discuss critical steps toward climate action. This year’s summit holds particular weight as it’s hosted by Azerbaijan, a major oil-producing nation—an aspect stirring debate over the choice of venue.
The 2024 U.S. Election and Its Global Impact: Energy, Environment, and Technology at a Crossroads
As the U.S. 2024 election nears, Donald Trump and Kamala Harris offer different paths for America's energy and technology future. Their policies will not only shape U.S. domestic interests but also carry significant global implications, from energy markets to international climate cooperation.
Green Steel vs. Conventional: Exploring Pathways to a Sustainable Future
Steel is one of the most critical materials used in modern infrastructure and manufacturing, forming the backbone of everything from buildings to cars. Yet, this vital industry is also one of the largest sources of global carbon emissions. Traditional steel production accounts for approximately 2.8 billion tons of CO₂ each year—equivalent to 7% of yearly emissions worldwide.
Five Key Areas: Trump vs. Harris on Energy Policies
As the 2024 election approaches, Americans are presented with two distinct approaches to the country's energy future. From energy independence to economic impacts, this overview highlights five important aspects of the ongoing conversation about energy options.
The Dilemma of Green Transition: Exploring Conflicts and Decisions in UK Energy and Industrial Projects
As the UK navigates its path towards a greener future, it faces a complex set of challenges and decisions. Balancing the urgent need for sustainable energy and industrial practices with the practical realities of existing infrastructure and economic pressures is no small feat.
The new Labour government, with policies that differ from those of the previous administration, has brought these conflicts into sharper focus. The debates surrounding Drax Power Station’s sustainability claims, the contentious decisions regarding West Cumbria Mining’s coal project, and the transformative shifts at Port Talbot Steelworks each highlight different facets of the green transition dilemma.
Trump's Energy Vision: Key Themes and Promises in the 2024 Campaign
President Trump has made it abundantly clear in his 2024 campaign that U.S. energy policy will be a pivotal focus. He positions energy not just as an isolated policy area, but as a fundamental tool to achieve his broader economic objectives, particularly the fight against inflation and the reduction of living costs for Americans.
Trump’s campaign slogans, such as "End inflation, and make America affordable again" and "Make America the dominant energy producer in the world, by far!" encapsulate his strategy of leveraging energy production to drive economic relief and national strength. Central to his plan is a robust endorsement of fossil fuels, with an emphasis on rolling back restrictions on American energy production.