Oil Change International Statement on Trump's Day One Assault on Climate Action

As Donald Trump prepares to take office as the 47th president, fossil fuel executives are expecting a return on the $75 million they spent to elect him. Trump's Day One executive orders represent a full-scale attack on climate progress and communities across the world.

In response, Oil Change International Executive Director Elizabeth Bast said:

"As Trump returns to office, we're witnessing the deadly price tag of fossil fuel industry control over our democracy. From the still-burning wildfires in Los Angeles to the destruction left by Hurricane Helene in Asheville, to the unprecedented droughts and floods devastating Southern Africa, the climate crisis is accelerating. These deadly disasters are driven by fossil fuel executives who put their profits ahead of our future.

“The fossil fuel industry invested $75 million to secure Trump's victory, and now they're expecting a return on that investment. By appointing fossil fuel CEOs to key Cabinet positions and planning to dismantle critical environmental protections, Trump is handing these companies a blank check to expand their operations at precisely the moment we need to end fossil fuel extraction.

“But the greed of fossil fuel billionaires and their political allies cannot overcome the power of our movements. In communities across America and around the world, we're standing up not just to toxic fossil fuel projects, but to the bigotry, hatred, and division that props up corporate power. Every pipeline we stop, every permit we block, and every community we protect brings us closer to the just, fossil-free future we know is possible. We've faced hostile administrations before, and we know that when we stand together, we win."

Trump's Day One Climate Destruction Package includes:

• Withdrawal from the Paris Climate Agreement.

At COP28, governments committed to transition away from fossil fuels. Now, countries must submit national plans to end fossil fuel expansion and seize the economic opportunities of renewables that the United States is abandoning. Oil Change International research shows that wealthy countries can mobilize trillions of dollars for climate action by ending fossil fuel handouts, making big polluters pay, and changing unfair global financial rules to bring jobs, clean air, and lower energy bills. None of this requires the United States being a member of the Paris Agreement. Global momentum to address the climate crisis will not be stopped by one man.

• Lifting the pause on new liquified natural gas (LNG) exports.

The Department of Energy’s new studies on LNG adds to the overwhelming evidence that U.S. LNG exports mean higher energy bills, accelerated climate chaos, toxic pollution in frontline communities, and LNG expansion outpacing global demand. In lifting the current pause on new LNG exports, Trump is putting his fossil fuel donors over the economic realities of LNG expansion and prioritizing fossil fuel industry profits over the public’s interest in lowering energy bills, clean air, clean water, and safety from climate disasters.

• Declaring an energy emergency to supercharge fossil fuel production.

Instead of addressing the real emergency of the climate crisis, like the ongoing fires in California, Trump’s plan to declare an energy emergency is another attempt to boost the profits of his fossil fuel donors rather than help the American people. United States production of oil and gas is already at a record high, while American jobs in oil and gas have declined and global demand for fossil fuels is expected to peak in the next five years. Over 90% of United States’ counties experienced a federally declared climate disaster between 2011 and 2023. Instead of pandering to the fossil fuel industry, our government should be responding to the real crisis at hand by funding disaster response and halting fossil fuel expansion.

• Public Lands Drilling Expansion

Any expansion of fossil fuel production is out of line with the 1.5ºC target to curb the impacts of the climate crisis, according to the International Energy Agency. Expanding drilling on public lands will mean more fires, floods, and toxic pollution.

• Keystone XL Pipeline Revival Attempt

Despite any potential executive orders from the Trump administration, significant barriers prevent the revival of the Keystone XL pipeline. TC Energy has withdrawn from the project and no longer maintains the necessary land easements for construction. Whether Trump wants it or not, the global energy transition is happening and fossil fuels will be phased out. Renewable energy is cheaper, cleaner, and safer, and the transition has become unstoppable. Trump was powerless to stop the collapse of coal in the United States, and he won’t be able to stand in the way of renewable energy.