PuttingAmericaFirstinInternational EnvironmentalAgreements
DateIssued:January20,2025
Topic:EnvironmentalJustice
WHATDOESTHISEXECUTIVEORDERDO?
ThisorderdirectstheimmediatewithdrawaloftheUnitedStatesfromthe ParisAgreementandanyrelatedinternationalclimateagreements undertheUnitedNations(UN)FrameworkConventiononClimate Change.Theorderhaltsallfinancialcommitmentstiedtothese agreements,includingfundingforinternationalclimatefinance initiatives.
Additionally,theorderrevokestheU.S.InternationalClimateFinancePlan andrequiresfederalagenciestoreassessandrescindpoliciesthatwere implementedtosupportinternationalclimateefforts.
Movingforward,theordermandatesthatU.S.engagementin internationalenergyagreementsmustprioritizeeconomicefficiency, Americanprosperity,consumerchoice,andfiscalrestraint.
TheU.S.AmbassadortotheUNisrequiredtoimmediatelysubmitformal withdrawalnotificationsfromtheParisAgreementandanysimilar agreementsundertheUNFrameworkConventiononClimateChange.The Ambassador,incollaborationwiththeSecretaryofStateandthe SecretaryoftheTreasury,mustimmediatelyceaseallfinancial commitmentsmadeundertheseagreements:
Within10days,theOfficeofManagementandBudgetmustissue guidancetorescindanyfrozenfundstiedtointernationalclimate finance.
Within30days,multiplefederalagencies includingtheDepartments ofState,Treasury,Commerce,Energy,Agriculture,andHealthand HumanServices,aswellastheEnvironmentalProtectionAgencyand otherrelevantagencies mustsubmitreportsdetailingtheiractionsto revokeorrescindpoliciesrelatedtointernationalclimatefinance.
TheSecretaryofState,SecretaryofCommerce,andotheragency headsinvolvedininternationalenergyagreementsmustensurethat allfutureengagementsprioritizeeconomicefficiency,American economicinterests,andfiscalresponsibility.
HOWDOESTHISIMPACTBLACKCOMMUNITIES?
TheimpactofthisorderonBlackcommunitieswilllargelydependon howshiftsinenvironmentalandeconomicpoliciesaffectissuessuchas pollution,publichealth,andjobopportunities.Reducinginternational climatecommitmentscouldredirectfinancialresourcestoward domesticeconomicpriorities,potentiallyleadingtojobgrowthinenergy sectorssuchasoil,gas,andmanufacturing.However,thedecisionto withdrawfromglobalclimateinitiativesmayalsoweakenenvironmental regulations,whichwoulddisproportionatelyimpactBlackcommunities thatarealreadyvulnerabletoenvironmentalhazardssuchasair pollution,watercontamination,andclimate-relateddisasters.Without internationalclimatecommitments,theremaybelesspressuretoinvest incleanenergyandsustainableinfrastructure,whichcouldexacerbate existinghealthdisparities.
Blackcommunitiesaremorelikelytoliveinareasvulnerabletoclimaterelateddisasterssuchashurricanes,flooding,andextremeheat.Federal inactiononclimatechangeintensifiestheserisks,leadingto displacement,propertyloss,andfinancialhardship.Therollbackof environmentalprotectionsresultsinhighergreenhousegasemissions andincreasedpollution.Blackcommunities,whicharealready disproportionatelyaffectedbypoorairqualityduetoredliningand industrialzoning,willexperienceworsenedrespiratoryillnessesand highermortalityrates.
Theshiftawayfromcleanenergyinvestmentsundermineseconomic opportunitiesintherenewableenergysector,wherejobgrowthhasbeen expanding.SinceBlackworkershavebeenincreasinglyrepresentedin emerginggreenindustries,reducingfederalsupportthreatenseconomic mobility.Thewithdrawalwilldismantleenvironmentaljusticeefforts,such asBiden-erapoliciesaimedataddressingthedisproportionatepollution burdenonmarginalizedcommunities.
Withoutfederalleadership,initiativestoreduceenvironmentalracism andensureequitableclimatepolicieswillbeweakened.Theabsenceof U.S.leadershipinglobalclimateeffortsandreducedfinancial commitmentstoclimateresilienceprogramsmeanthatfrontline communities,includingmanyBlackneighborhoods,willhavefewer resourcestoadapttoworseningenvironmentalconditions.
HOWARECBCMEMBERSRESPONDING?
TheCongressionalBlackCaucus(CBC)hasfoughtforenvironmental justicefordecades,includingadvocacythatcreatedtheCleanAirActin 1963.
OnJanuary24,2025,Rep.YvetteD.Clarke,ChairoftheCBC,and29other CBCMemberssignedaresolutionurgingPresidentTrumptorejointhe ParisClimateAgreementanddemandingthatCongressto“prioritizethe UnitedStatesgloballeadershiponaddressingclimatechange.”Full Statement
ToreadmoreabouttheCBC’slegacyonenvironmentaljusticeissues, visitAvoice,ourvirtuallibrary.