The Impact of Trumps Pro-Drilling Policies on International Relations
The UN climate summit held in the United Arab Emirates in 2023 concluded with a call for transitioning away from fossil fuels. This initiative was hailed as a significant milestone in global efforts to combat climate change. However, concerns are emerging that this commitment may be faltering. The growth of clean energy transition has slowed down, and simultaneously, there is an alarming increase in the burning of fossil fuels.
US President Donald Trump’s “national energy emergency” further exacerbates these fears by promoting fossil fuel use while abandoning cleaner energy policies. In response to Trumps slogan encouraging increased extraction of fossil fuels”drill, baby, drill”and his decision to withdraw from the Paris climate agreement, some countries and energy companies have already begun aligning their strategies with the US stance.
For instance, Indonesia has expressed doubts about adhering strictly to international agreements. According to Hashim Djojohadikusumo, special envoy for climate change and energy of Indonesia as reported by Antara news agency, “If the United States does not want to comply with the international agreement, why should a country like Indonesia comply?” This sentiment reflects concerns about perceived lack of justice given that the US produces 13 tons of carbon per person compared to three tons in Indonesia.
Indonesias position is echoed by other countries. In South Africa, despite initial efforts towards transitioning from coal to renewables under a $8.5 billion foreign-aided project, there are now fears that progress may stall further. Similarly, Argentina has withdrawn its negotiators from the COP29 climate meeting and signaled an intention to withdraw from the Paris Agreement.
Energy giants like Equinor and BP have also shifted their investments towards increasing fossil fuel production while reducing renewable energy spending. This trend raises worries about a potential slowdown in global efforts to transition to cleaner sources of energy, despite recent advancements that saw clean energy investment surpass $2 trillion for the first time.
The scientific consensus underscores the urgency: there can be no new fossil fuel extraction if global warming is to be limited to 1.5 degrees Celsius compared with pre-industrial levels. Additionally, rapid reductions in carbon emissions (around a 45% reduction by 2030 from the 2019 level) are required.
Despite these challenges, there remains growth in the clean energy sector, driven partly by economic incentives for import-dependent economies like China and India to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels. Additionally, global energy transition investment has surpassed $2 trillion for the first time last year.
However, significant concerns persist regarding potential foreign buyers’ alignment with US interests in promoting increased fossil fuel extraction and exports worldwide. These developments highlight a critical juncture where decisions made by key actors like the United States could profoundly impact global efforts to combat climate change.
