AI’s ENVIRONMENTAL VIEW ON PROJECT 2025

Project 2025 could have profound impacts on U.S. climate policy by reversing or blocking major federal efforts to combat climate change. Initiated by the Heritage Foundation and supported by other conservative organizations, Project 2025 proposes a rollback of policies aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate risks. Central to this agenda are moves to dismantle or scale back environmental agencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), which are responsible for enforcing emissions standards and conducting climate research. By cutting funds for climate-focused programs and loosening regulations on fossil fuels, Project 2025 prioritizes the expansion of oil, gas, and coal industries while reducing investments in clean energy and efficiency standards.

One key element of Project 2025 is its aim to eliminate climate commitments from U.S. international policy. It suggests pulling out of climate resilience initiatives, like the President’s Emergency Plan for Adaptation and Resilience (PREPARE), and ending financial contributions to the World Bank, which aids climate adaptation in vulnerable countries. This withdrawal could destabilize global efforts to manage climate impacts, potentially harming food security and infrastructure resilience in developing regions. The project also challenges recent investments, such as those made under the Inflation Reduction Act, which has generated over 270,000 clean energy jobs in the U.S., and which could be rolled back under Project 2025​

If implemented, Project 2025 would likely increase U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, potentially derailing the nation’s trajectory toward achieving its climate targets. For example, lifting restrictions on oil drilling, blocking the expansion of renewable energy infrastructure, and eliminating emissions regulations would not only increase domestic pollution but could also encourage similar actions abroad, with the U.S. no longer upholding its role in international climate agreements. Overall, Project 2025’s approach represents a substantial shift from recent climate policies, placing economic growth via fossil fuels over environmental and global climate stability​