On 20 January 2025, the first day of his term, the new president withdrew the United States from the Paris Agreement (2016). In addition, he declared a national energy emergency. These two disruptive decisions – among many – will have obvious effect. Here they are
Massimiliano Viti
Will the planet survive a second Trump term? On 20 January 2025, the first day of his term, the new president withdrew the US from the Paris Agreement (2016). In addition, he declared a national energy emergency, accelerating the issuing of permits for oil and gas projects and reducing emissions regulations across all industries. This is mainly because, says Trump himself, ‘China pollutes with impunity‘.
Deregulation green
According to the intergovernmental body International Energy Agency, China is the largest contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, with a 31.1% share. The US is at 13%. Moreover, according to Trump, the scientific consensus on rising temperatures on Earth is a ‘hoax‘. Thus, the US joins Libya, Yemen and Iran among the only nations that do not adhere to the climate agreement. Even in his first term, Trump made the same decision, which has a significant impact on all industries, including the fashion industry. It jeopardises progress (big or small) on climate goals. It is dependent on fossil fuels. It disrupts global trade dynamics.
Yet another change of direction
Before and after the first Trump term (2017-2020), US presidents (first Barack Obama and then Joe Biden) signed the Paris Agreement. For the US, it is thus yet another change of direction in environmental matters. This has already led to a fragmentation of sustainability regulations in the various federal states. For example, California, with Senate laws 253 and 261, established new standards for corporate climate transparency. Despite the lack of a single federal regulation, many fashion brands have nevertheless taken independent initiatives to become greener. Also to meet the growing demands of the market. Initiatives and investments are likely to continue even after Trump’s latest decisions, as brands are aware that in five years, everything could change again.
What effect will it have?
What will the consequences of Trump’s actions be? In the immediate term, the US runs the serious risk of seeing an increased carbon footprint for its fashion production. Moreover, this new position could interfere with trade relations with countries, such as Europe, that have stricter sustainability standards. Will an increasingly green-conscious European consumer buy a US-made product?
Global or local?
Julia Hughes, president of the United States Fashion Industry Association, wonders whether President Trump’s actions will have a global impact or whether the main impact will only be in the United States. Most likely, the repercussions of US deregulation will cross national borders. Just think of the fashion system’s supply chain. “Fashion brands could reduce pressure along the entire value chain, with a return to cheaper and more convenient energy sources, which are typically fossil fuels,” says Michelle Gabriel (source: Vogue Business), director of the sustainable fashion programme at IE New York College (formerly Glasgow Caledonian University). In other words, companies in the supply chain that now use green energy could switch back to electricity from oil because it is cheaper. Thus, they would become more competitive in price.
The whole planet
However, the implications beyond US borders involve the entire planet. The weakening of environmental standards could accentuate the use of unsustainable practices in the sourcing of raw materials. Take cotton. The increase in pesticides and synthetic fertilisers could accelerate soil degradation. Water pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. More generally, the climate is set to worsen, and extreme weather events will increase. What are the consequences for production chains?
They will not stop
However, fashion should continue on its path towards greater sustainability, with or without Trump. ‘Many investors have longer horizons than the duration of a presidency,’ points out Lisa Bergstrand, founder of the Bergstrand Consultancy, a sustainability consultancy for fashion and textile companies. A confirmation, albeit partial, comes from Steve Lamar, CEO of the American Apparel and Footwear Association (AAFA), who told the Sourcing Journal: “Now is not the time to abandon our efforts to promote and ensure a harmonised approach to the effective stewardship of our planet.” Lamar promised that the group would ‘continue to engage at the local, state, federal and international levels to support an appropriate sustainability policy’.
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