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Trump administration's statements mark a break with the United States' previous climate agenda and reignite debate on renewables.
During the energy security summit organized this Thursday (24) by the International Energy Agency (IEA) in London, the United States adopted a critical stance regarding the reduction of the use of fossil fuels in favor of renewable sources. The speech by the North American envoy, Tommy Joyce, marked a change in the energy policy of the USA, signaling the new position of the Donald Trump administration.
“We oppose these harmful and dangerous policies,” said Joyce, who serves as acting assistant secretary of energy for international affairs. He said the attempt to phase out fossil fuels in the name of carbon neutrality does not contribute to global energy security. “Some want to regulate all forms of energy, except so-called renewables, until they disappear completely. That is not energy security, and we know exactly where that leads,” he said.
Statements reveal shift in US energy policy
The United States' participation in the IEA summit marked a departure from the policies of the previous administration, led by Joe Biden, which had placed the United States at the forefront of the transition to renewable energy. Under Donald Trump, the United States is now adopting a position of climate skepticism and reaffirming the strategic role of oil and natural gas for the country.
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Tommy Joyce's criticism also targeted the International Energy Agency itself, which, in 2021, recommended that no new fossil fuel projects be initiated if countries wanted to achieve the goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. At the time, the recommendation generated strong reaction among oil and gas producers.
Despite the new US stance, IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol tried to strike a conciliatory tone. During his speech, he acknowledged that oil and gas are still “important elements of our energy mix” and will continue to be so for many years to come.
Divisions mark debate on the future of energy
The summit brought together representatives from 60 countries and around 50 companies in the energy sector. The discussions took place amid an unstable global scenario, with armed conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, as well as trade disputes and changes in the environmental policy of powers such as the United States.
The differences between the participants were evident from the very first speeches. While some countries advocate accelerating the transition to renewable sources, others argue that rapidly abandoning fossil fuels could compromise supply security and generate economic risks, especially in nations that still depend heavily on these resources.
The position of the United States, one of the world's largest oil producers and consumers, reinforces the tension between environmental objectives and national energy interests. The defense of the continuation of fossil fuels puts the United States at odds with European countries and with the direction that the IEA has been adopting in recent years.
Impacts and repercussions on the international scene
The speech by the US representative reflects a broader trend by the current administration to reassess environmental commitments made in international forums. Under the Trump administration, the US has demonstrated a clear priority: to strengthen its energy security by harnessing its fossil fuel reserves, even if this represents a setback in climate commitments.
This repositioning could have direct impacts on multilateral climate negotiations, especially in forums such as the COP and other global environmental meetings. The new US stance could also influence countries that are still hesitant to adopt more ambitious emissions reduction targets.
Despite the global increase in investment in renewable sources such as solar and wind, fossil fuels continue to dominate the energy mix of many countries, including the United States itself. The debate between energy security and decarbonization remains one of the great challenges of the current decade.
US and the future of renewables: dilemma between energy independence and climate commitments
Even with the advancement of renewable sources in the United States, the speech by the American representative signals a clear preference for the continued use of oil, gas and coal. The dilemma between reducing emissions and ensuring a constant supply of energy continues to be present in the country's policies.
With this stance, the United States seems to indicate that, under the current administration, energy transition goals will be reassessed in light of national security and energy independence. The future of renewable energy in the United States will therefore depend on the ability to balance these interests with the demands of the global market and international agreements.
The IEA summit ended with a partial consensus: oil and gas will continue to play a relevant role in the short and medium term. However, pressure for sustainable solutions continues, and the United States will play a key role in defining the direction the world will take in its quest for a cleaner and safer energy matrix.
Source: UOL
