Report on Proposed U.S. Energy and Climate Policy and its Conflict with Sustainable Development Goals

1.0 Executive Summary

An analysis of proposed energy and climate policies by former President Donald Trump and Project 2025 reveals a strategic alignment focused on expanding fossil fuel production while systematically dismantling initiatives aimed at environmental protection and sustainable energy. These proposals stand in direct opposition to multiple United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The core objective is to reverse current climate policies, prioritize hydrocarbon extraction, and withdraw from international environmental cooperation, thereby posing significant challenges to global sustainability targets.

2.0 Prioritization of Fossil Fuels and Contradiction of SDG 13 (Climate Action)

The central policy thrust involves a significant increase in the production of natural gas, oil, and coal, despite the U.S. already being a leading global producer. This approach fundamentally conflicts with the objectives of SDG 13 (Climate Action), which calls for urgent measures to combat climate change and its impacts.

2.1 Key Policy Objectives

• Aggressively promote drilling for oil and gas under a “drill, baby, drill” campaign promise.
• Frame climate change as a “hoax” and characterize efforts to address it as wasteful.
• End the previous administration’s “war on fossil fuels” to provide what is termed “cheaper and more abundant energy.”

2.2 Neglect of Climate Science and Impacts

The policy framework shows a notable disregard for the scientific consensus on climate change, failing to address critical environmental threats. This neglect undermines the foundation of SDG 13.1, which aims to strengthen resilience and adaptive capacity to climate-related hazards.

1. No concern is shown for rising sea levels.
2. The increasing frequency of extreme weather events is not addressed.
3. The issue of rising global temperatures is not discussed.

3.0 Dismantling Green Energy Frameworks and Undermining SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy)

The proposals include a systematic effort to dismantle government support for renewable energy, directly contravening SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), which seeks to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all. Specifically, these actions hinder progress on Target 7.2 (increase the share of renewable energy) and Target 7.a (enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology).

3.1 Actions Against Renewable Energy

• Declaration of a national energy emergency to expedite fossil fuel projects.
• Rescission of funding for green energy initiatives and subsidies, labeling them as support for “unreliable renewables.”
• Elimination of renewable energy tax credits and the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund.

4.0 Regulatory Rollbacks and Implications for Broader SDGs

A cornerstone of the proposed agenda is the reversal of key environmental regulations. This has wide-ranging negative implications for SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and SDG 15 (Life on Land).

4.1 Rescission of the EPA Endangerment Finding

A primary objective is to rescind the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) 2009 finding that greenhouse gases endanger public health. This finding is the legal foundation for regulating emissions.

• This action would cripple the EPA’s ability to regulate greenhouse gases, directly impacting public health and contradicting SDG 3.9, which aims to reduce illnesses from pollution.
• It facilitates the rollback of fuel economy standards, further increasing emissions.

4.2 Expansion of Drilling and Mining

The proposals call for a significant increase in fossil fuel extraction on federal lands and waters, threatening vital ecosystems and biodiversity.

1. Increased oil and gas production on federal lands and the Outer Continental Shelf directly threatens marine and terrestrial habitats, undermining SDG 14 and SDG 15.
2. Renewed emphasis on coal mining further contributes to land degradation and carbon emissions.

5.0 Retreat from Global Cooperation and Setback for SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals)

The policy framework advocates for withdrawal from international climate agreements and a reduction in global environmental cooperation. This isolationist stance is a direct affront to SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), which recognizes that global challenges can only be solved through international partnership and cooperation.

5.1 Targeted International and Scientific Programs

• Withdrawal from international climate agreements.
• Elimination or defunding of climate-focused offices and research programs, including the White House climate policy office, the Global Change Research Program, and climate-related functions within USAID and the U.S. Geological Survey.
• This retreat from scientific research and global partnerships weakens the collective ability to address the climate crisis, a key tenet of the entire 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

• The article’s central theme is energy policy, specifically the push to “increase natural gas, oil and coal production” while “dismantling government efforts to develop green energy.” This directly engages with the goals of SDG 7 but promotes fossil fuels over clean energy sources, which the article notes are labeled “unreliable renewables.”

SDG 13: Climate Action

• This goal is directly undermined by the policies described. The article states that climate change is labeled a “hoax” and there is “scant mention in Project 2025 of the threats posed by climate change.” Actions like withdrawing from “international climate agreements” and eliminating “climate research” are in direct opposition to taking action on climate change.

SDG 14: Life Below Water

• The article mentions plans to increase “fossil fuel production on federal lands and waters,” including “Offshore oil rig in Cook Inlet, Alaska” and “Oil, gas drilling on Outer Continental Shelf.” These actions directly impact marine ecosystems and the health of oceans, connecting them to SDG 14.

SDG 15: Life on Land

• The policy to increase “Oil, gas production on federal lands” and expand “Coal Mining” directly relates to the use and potential degradation of terrestrial ecosystems, which is the focus of SDG 15.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

• The article explicitly mentions taking “steps to withdraw from international climate agreements.” This action directly relates to and undermines the principle of global partnership for sustainable development, a core component of SDG 17.

What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

1. Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. The article discusses policies that would work against this target, such as rescinding “funding for green energy projects,” ending “renewable energy tax credits,” and dismantling “government efforts to develop green energy.”
2. Target 7.a: By 2030, enhance international cooperation to facilitate access to clean energy research and technology… and promote investment in energy infrastructure and clean energy technology. The article highlights actions that contradict this target, including efforts to “defund scientific research” and eliminate “climate research and climate-focused offices and programs.”

SDG 13: Climate Action

1. Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning. The article describes a complete reversal of this target, detailing plans to “rollback regulations,” rescind the “EPA’s 2009 finding that greenhouse gases endanger public health,” and eliminate climate policies.
2. Target 13.a: Implement the commitment undertaken by developed-country parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The article directly references the failure to meet this target by stating that the administration has taken “steps to withdraw from international climate agreements.”

SDG 14: Life Below Water

1. Target 14.2: By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts. The plan to increase “Oil, gas drilling on Outer Continental Shelf” and in areas like “Cook Inlet, Alaska” directly threatens the achievement of this target by increasing risks to marine ecosystems.

SDG 15: Life on Land

1. Target 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems. The push to increase “Oil, gas production on federal lands” and “Coal Mining” is contrary to the sustainable use and conservation of terrestrial ecosystems.

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

1. Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development. The article’s mention of withdrawing from “international climate agreements” is a direct action against strengthening global partnerships for climate action and sustainable development.

Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy

1. Indicator for Target 7.2: The share of renewable energy. The article implies a negative trend for this indicator through policies like rescinding “funding for green energy projects” and ending “renewable energy tax credits” while promoting fossil fuels.
2. Indicator for Target 7.a: Financial flows for clean energy research and development. The article implies a decrease in this indicator by mentioning the defunding of “scientific research” and the elimination of “climate-focused offices and programs.”

SDG 13: Climate Action

1. Indicator for Target 13.2: The existence of national climate change policies and strategies. The article provides qualitative indicators of regression, such as the “rollback of climate change policies,” the rescinding of the “endangerment finding,” and the repeal of “fuel economy standards.”
2. Indicator for Target 13.a: A country’s status in international climate agreements. The article explicitly states the intention to “withdraw from international climate agreements,” which serves as a direct, negative indicator.

SDG 14 & 15: Life Below Water & Life on Land

1. Indicator for Targets 14.2 and 15.1: The extent of fossil fuel exploration and production activities in sensitive areas. The article points to an increase in these activities as an indicator of growing pressure on ecosystems, specifically mentioning plans for “Oil, gas production on federal lands, waters,” “drilling in Alaska,” and on the “Outer Continental Shelf.”

SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

1. Indicator for Target 17.16: A country’s participation in international environmental agreements. The stated policy to “withdraw from international climate agreements” is a clear indicator of a weakening of global partnerships.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis

Source: factcheck.org