--- description: President Donald Trump has implemented a slew of actions and executive orders that stand to have wide-reaching impacts on climate policies. title: Here Are Trump's Major Moves to Dismantle Climate Action image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt3288285a30470511/6998c3b0e1ba00d73c98d385/trump-fema.jpg?branch=production&width=2400&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9 ---  * [Climate](/section/climate/) ## Climate Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close * [policy](/tag/policy/) ## policy Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close # Here Are All of Trump's Major Moves to Dismantle Climate Action  by [Simmone Shah](/author/simmone-shah/)  ## Simmone Shah Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Reporter Updated: Jan 19, 2026 7:24 PM CUTPublished: Feb 18, 2025 9:09 PM CUT  U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at a Hurricane Helene recovery briefing in a hangar at the Asheville Regional Airport in Fletcher, North Carolina, on Jan. 24, 2025\. Trump said he may "get rid of FEMA," if deemed necessary. U.S. President Donald Trump speaks at a Hurricane Helene recovery briefing in a hangar at the Asheville Regional Airport in Fletcher, North Carolina, on Jan. 24, 2025\. Trump said he may "get rid of FEMA," if deemed necessary.Mandel Ngan—Getty Images  by [Simmone Shah](/author/simmone-shah/)  ## Simmone Shah Update your preferences in [Account Settings](/account/preferences/) Close Reporter Updated: Jan 19, 2026 7:24 PM CUTPublished: Feb 18, 2025 9:09 PM CUT Since taking office, President Donald Trump has been implementing a slew of actions and executive orders that stand to have wide-reaching impacts on climate policies. During Trump’s first term, the administration put climate on the back burner—[rolling back ](https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/climate-environment/trump-climate-environment-protections/ "undefined")more than 125 environmental rules and policies. When former-President Joe Biden took office, he led the U.S. forward on climate action, signing the Inflation Reduction Act, the largest federal climate change investment in American history. Now, the Trump administration stands to dismantle much of the momentum it has inherited—curbing progress to reduce fossil fuel emissions, the largest contributor to climate change, just as the world surpassed 1.5°C of warming in 2024—the hottest year on record. Columbia University’s Sabin Center for Climate Change Law’s “[Climate Backtracker](https://climate.law.columbia.edu/content/climate-backtracker "undefined"),” has logged nearly 100 efforts to scale back or eliminate federal climate mitigation and adaptation measures since the administration took office at the end of January—ranging from boosting fossil-fuel production to withdrawing the U.S. from the Paris Climate Accords. Here are some of the major ways the Trump Administration is undoing climate action. ## **More Logging in National Forests** The Trump Administration announced on June 23 that it would open up 58 million acres in national forests for road construction and development—abolishing protections that have been in place for a quarter of a century. U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins called the “roadless rule,” established by Bill Clinton in 2001 to protect roadless areas of national forests, “outdated” and “overly restrictive” in his [announcement](https://www.usda.gov/about-usda/news/press-releases/2025/06/23/secretary-rollins-rescinds-roadless-rule-eliminating-impediment-responsible-forest-management#:~:text=Of%20the%2058.5%20million%20acres,very%20high%20risk%20of%20wildfire. "undefined") of the rollback. The rule has been a source of contention among Democrats and Republicans for decades—and the source of many lawsuits. On March 1, the President signed an executive order to increase timber production across 280 acres of national forests and federal land. In the executive order, Trump said that “heavy-handed Federal policies” have “prevented full utilization” of the country’s timber resources. The move appeared to be an attempt to boost domestic production ahead of imposing tariffs on foreign countries. (In 2023, the U.S. was the[ largest importer](https://oec.world/en/profile/hs/wood-products "undefined") of wood products in the world, importing $24.8 billion worth from Canada, China, Brazil, and others.) Logging drastically impacts a region’s biodiversity—causing wildlife to lose their habitat and food sources and[ produces](https://www.earthisland.org/journal/index.php/articles/entry/logging-carbon-emissions-us-forests/ "undefined") harmful greenhouse gas emissions. The order also[ directed federal agencies](https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/03/immediate-expansion-of-american-timber-production/ "undefined") to look for ways to bypass endangered species protections and other environmental regulations, putting the fate of many of the nation’s long protected ecosystems at risk. ## **Phasing Out FEMA** On June 11, Trump announced that he would begin phasing out the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the nation’s main arm for disaster recovery, after this year’s hurricane season. He has said that the federal government will begin distributing less disaster aid, with money coming from the president’s office instead. The switch-up comes as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) [predicts](https://www.noaa.gov/news-release/noaa-predicts-above-normal-2025-atlantic-hurricane-season "undefined") an above normal hurricane season this year. The president signed an executive order on Jan. 24 calling for an assessment of FEMA's effectiveness. While visiting Hurricane Helene victims in North Carolina on Jan. 24, he proposed [“getting rid”](https://apnews.com/article/trump-first-trip-california-north-carolina-nevada-b906880254ce7bf249c3dcefa45bf846 "undefined") of FEMA, a move that could impact the country’s ability to recover from extreme weather events that are becoming more [intense and frequent](https://science.nasa.gov/climate-change/extreme-weather/ "undefined") due to climate change. The appointed council, which will include the Secretary of Homeland Security and the Secretary of Defense, will have one year to evaluate “the existing ability of FEMA to capably and impartially address disasters occurring within the United States.” **Read more:** [_The Challenge of Overhauling FEMA In a Climate Changed World_](https://time.com/7282225/challenge-trump-fema-overhaul-climate-change-disasters/ "undefined") ## **Fast-Tracking Deep-Sea Mining** On April 24, the Trump Administration moved forward with an executive order aimed at boosting the highly controversial practice of deep-sea mining. The order side-steps ongoing international efforts to regulate the practice, and would allow companies to approve licenses in the high seas, an area typically overseen by an intergovernmental agency, the International Seabed Agency (ISA). The U.S. never signed a U.N. treaty, overseen by the ISA, that governs the seabed, though has in the past respected it. There are currently no approved commercial-scale deep-sea mining projects anywhere in the world, and many countries have called for a moratorium until the environmental impact is better understood. **Read more:** [_What to Know About Trump’s Push to Boost Deep-Sea Mining_](https://time.com/7278354/how-trump-could-boost-deep-sea-mining/ "undefined") ## **Blocking State Climate Laws** In addition to rolling back federal climate action, the Trump Administration has taken action to block the enforcement of state level climate measures. In an April 8 Executive Order, the White House directed the Attorney General to identify all state and local laws on addressing climate change, ESG initiatives (short for environmental, social, and governance), environmental justice, and carbon emissions—and make moves to block them. Many state leaders have [reaffirmed their commitment ](https://time.com/collections/earth-awards-2025/7279445/jay-inslee-acceptance-speech/ "undefined")to addressing climate change in the wake of the Trump Administration’s regressions. New York governor Kathy Hochul and New Mexico governor Michelle Lujan Grisham, who co-chair the U.S. Climate Alliance, have said they will not be deterred. "We will keep advancing solutions to the climate crisis that safeguard Americans' fundamental right to clean air and water, create good-paying jobs, grow the clean energy economy, and make our future healthier and safer,” they said in a[ joint statement.](https://usclimatealliance.org/press-releases/alliance-statement-on-executive-order-targeting-state-authority-apr-2025/ "undefined") ## **Ramping up Oil and Gas Production** On Feb. 14, Trump [signed](https://www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/2025/02/fact-sheet-president-donald-j-trump-establishes-the-national-energy-dominance-council/ "undefined") an executive order to create a new “National Energy Dominance Council,” aimed at increasing the country’s oil and gas production. Trump’s “drill, baby, drill” approach is meant to lower energy prices and increase supply of fossil fuels. The country’s oil and gas production, however, already reached record highs under the Biden administration, according to the [Center for American Progress.](https://www.americanprogress.org/article/opening-more-lands-and-waters-for-oil-drilling-wont-lower-energy-prices/ "undefined")And [some experts have warned](https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/31/business/energy-environment/trumps-tariffs-oil-gas-prices.html "undefined") the moves may actually harm some refineries and raise gas prices. In response to Trump’s declaration of a national energy emergency, the Department of Interior [said](https://www.doi.gov/pressreleases/department-interior-implements-emergency-permitting-procedures-strengthen-domestic "undefined") on April 23 that it would implement emergency permitting processes to accelerate approval times for energy and mining projects on federal lands. **Read more:** [_What Trump’s Executive Orders Really Mean for the Climate_](https://time.com/7208857/trump-oil-executive-orders-climate-impact/ "undefined") ## EPA Deregulation On March 12, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lee Zeldin announced 31 actions aimed at rolling back a number of significant environmental regulations, in what the agency called "the most consequential day of deregulation in U.S. history." The list of targets includes reconsidering restrictions on carbon dioxide emissions from power plants, rolling back vehicle emission standards meant to accelerate a transition to EVs, and pushing to challenge a 2009 finding that greenhouse gasses like carbon dioxide and methane are a threat to public health. In a video announcing the actions, Zeldin refashioned the goals of the EPA, saying the agency’s actions would help lower costs and make purchasing cars or heating homes more affordable to Americans. “Today the green new scam ends as the EPA does its part to usher in the golden age of American success,” he said. ## **NOAA Staff Cuts** More than 600 workers at the [National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration](https://time.com/7262974/noaa-layoffs-climate-research-weather/ "undefined"), or NOAA, were laid off on Feb. 27 as part of the Trump Administration’s efforts to cull the federal workforce. The move stands to have profound impacts on the country’s ability to protect public safety during extreme weather events that are only increasing in frequency as the planet warms. NOAA is a [vital data resource](https://blog.ucsusa.org/science-blogger/what-does-noaa-do-for-us-and-how-can-we-defend-it/ "undefined") on everything from hurricanes to drought, which weather forecasters, local authorities, farmers, and others around the country rely on. The agency’s weather alerts are also an essential warning system allowing communities to protect themselves from extreme weather. Last year, NOAA [recorded](https://www.climate.gov/news-features/blogs/beyond-data/2024-active-year-us-billion-dollar-weather-and-climate-disasters "undefined") 27 weather and climate disasters with at least $1 billion in damages, the second highest number since the agency began tracking the numbers in 1980. **Read more:** [_Mass Layoffs at NOAA Spark Concerns Over Weather, Climate Research_](https://time.com/7262974/noaa-layoffs-climate-research-weather/ "undefined") In mid-March, NOAA announced it would lay off an additional 1,000 workers or more, less than a month after its first round of cuts as part of the Trump Administration’s efforts to cull the federal workforce. ## **Withdrawing From Paris Accords** One of the administration’s first moves on the first day of Trump’s presidency, was to begin the process of withdrawing the United States from the Paris Agreement. The pact, which was signed by nearly 200 countries in 2015, aimed to curb long-term global warming to 2.7°F (2°C) above pre-industrial levels or keep temperatures below 3.6°F (1.5°C) above pre-industrial levels. The move did not come as a surprise—during his first administration, Trump also withdrew the U.S. from the agreement, though Biden rejoined upon taking office. **Read more:** [_What Happened the Last Time Trump Withdrew From the Paris Agreement_](https://time.com/7208955/trump-paris-climate-agreement-withdraw-impact/ "undefined") “In recent years, the United States has purported to join international agreements and initiatives that do not reflect our country’s values or our contributions to the pursuit of economic and environmental objectives,” President Trump said in an [executive order](https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/putting-america-first-in-international-environmental-agreements/ "undefined"). “Moreover, these agreements steer American taxpayer dollars to countries that do not require, or merit, financial assistance in the interests of the American people.” The move weakens the U.S. position and reliability when it comes to international climate negotiations. In a November interview with the [_Guardian_](https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/nov/01/a-trump-presidency-could-cripple-the-paris-climate-agreement-warns-un-chief-antonio-guterres "undefined"), U.N. Secretary General António Guterres likened a potential U.S. withdrawal to losing a limb or organ. “The Paris Agreement can survive, but people sometimes can lose important organs or lose the legs and survive. But we don’t want a crippled Paris Agreement. We want a real Paris Agreement,” he said. In early March, the U.S. also [withdrew](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/office-of-the-special-envoy-for-climate-change-kenya%5Fdisappointed-to-learn-that-the-us-has-withdrawn-activity-7303701938146013185-O-NY/?utm%5Fsource=share&utm%5Fmediuam=member%5Fandroid&rcm=ACoAAApyNocBshOpvzPp1XB0wHtqdgkhe2hOx2o "undefined") from the International Partners Group, an agreement which had rich countries allocate money to the green energy transition in South Africa, Indonesia, Vietnam, and Senegal, as well as the board of the [Loss and Damage Fund,](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/united-states-quits-board-un-climate-damage-fund-letter-shows-2025-03-07/ "undefined") which is dedicated to helping developing countries weather climate disasters. ## **EPA Cuts** The Trump Administration and its newly created Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE) proposed sweeping cuts to many federal agencies, including the EPA. At the beginning of February, the agency told more than 1,000 “probationary” employees, those who had been working for the agency for less than a year, that they could be fired immediately, according to[_NBC News_](https://www.nbcnews.com/science/science-news/epa-employees-told-dismissed-immediately-rcna190474 "undefined"). The agency has since “terminated” nearly 400 employees, according to[ _The Hill._](https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/5146618-epa-fires-employees-500-probationary/ "undefined") The reduction of staff could impact the organization's speed and ability to respond to crises—like tackling environmental health risks or implementing regulations. ## **Banning Paper Straws** Trump signed an [executive order](https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/02/ending-procurement-and-forced-use-of-paper-straws/ "undefined") on Feb. 10 ending the use of paper straws by the federal government, calling them “nonfunctional” and urging the Assistant to the President for Domestic Policy and “relevant agencies” to “issue a national strategy to end the use of paper straws” within 45 days. The move, while considered largely symbolic, undoes part of a Biden Administration [initiative](https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/briefing-room/statements-releases/2024/07/19/fact-sheet-biden-harris-administration-releases-new-strategy-to-tackle-plastic-pollution-takes-action-to-reduce-single-use-plastics-in-federal-operations/ "undefined") aimed at phasing out the use of single-use plastics, such as plastic straws and water bottles, from all federal operations by 2035\. ## **Pausing Electric Vehicle Adoption** In 2021, the Biden Administration set a goal to have EVs make up half of all new cars sold by 2030, a move which President Trump revoked upon returning to power. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) also released [a memo ](https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/environment/nevi/resources/state-plan-approval-suspension.pdf "undefined")on Feb. 6 saying that the Department of Transportation was reviewing the implementation of the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (NEVI) Formula Program. The move froze roughly [$3 billion](https://www.npr.org/2025/02/07/nx-s1-5289922/trump-transportation-department-ev-charging-halt "undefined") dollars in funding that was allocated to expand the network of electric vehicle charging stations across the country, according to Atlas Public Policy. According to the most recent [EPA data](https://www.epa.gov/greenvehicles/fast-facts-transportation-greenhouse-gas-emissions "undefined"), in 2022 transportation was the largest source (28%) of emissions in the U.S. Decarbonizing this sector would go a long way to reducing the country’s carbon footprint. ```json [{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/7258269/trump-climate-policies-executive-orders/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/7258269/trump-climate-policies-executive-orders/"},"headline":"Here Are All of Trump's Major Moves to Dismantle Climate Action","datePublished":"2025-02-18T21:09:40.000Z","dateModified":"2026-01-19T19:24:53.000Z","description":"Trump has implemented a slew of actions that stand to have wide-reaching impacts on climate policies.","url":"https://time.com/7258269/trump-climate-policies-executive-orders/","keywords":["policy","News","Donald Trump","healthscienceclimate"],"thumbnailUrl":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt3288285a30470511/6998c3b0e1ba00d73c98d385/trump-fema.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Simmone Shah","jobTitle":"Reporter","url":"https://time.com/author/simmone-shah/"}],"articleSection":"Climate","image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt3288285a30470511/6998c3b0e1ba00d73c98d385/trump-fema.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","width":1200,"height":675,"headline":"trump-fema.jpg","caption":"US-POLITICS-TRUMP","creditText":"Mandel Ngan—Getty Images","representativeOfPage":true}],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"/section/climate/","name":"Climate"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"/tag/policy/","name":"policy"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/7258269/trump-climate-policies-executive-orders/","name":"Here Are All of Trump's Major Moves to Dismantle Climate Action"}}]}] ```