Our Comment: Trump – The implications for a low carbon West Midlands?

In the West Midlands, climate change will keep occurring, no-matter who the President is or whether we are part of the EU or not. In parallel the low carbon market will also continue to grow, driven by private investment and the global demand for clean, cheap and reliable energy. Meanwhile to meet the UK Climate Change Act requirements will need future standards stronger than current EU policy. As UK Government special advisor Sir David King said this month at the West Midlands Energy capital launch “The demand for low carbon energy presents the best time to make money since the industrial revolution”.  SWM will continue our role in making sure our businesses and communities maximise the benefit from this long term energy revolution, while not getting distracted from the present uncertainty. We continue to share our sustainability and resilience planning tools and experience with local businesses and look at new opportunities, such as the UK industrial strategy. Dr Simon Slater, on behalf of the SWM team. For a more detailed assessment read on. Trump – Bad news for the Low Carbon Economy? The president has moved from in 2009 as urging business action on climate change, to claiming it was a Chinese hoax to kill US manufacturing. In the 2016 election he pledged to pull out of all international treaties. In 2017 he has claimed he has an open mind on climate change while he and some members of his Cabinet have questioned the science of climate change. He has made several high profile appointments of former oil company executives and advisors in key positions, such as Secretary of State and the head of the Environmental Protection Agency. He also has a majority across the elected national law making institutions. Therefore many commentators believe that any new coordinated national action on climate change is unlikely on the federal level, and where there are national opportunities that align with local politics there will be an expansion of oil and coal business activity in some areas. In terms of new international trade deals, they are unlikely to initially drive higher environmental standards and likely to push cheaper US coal and steel. If the US want to pull out of the Paris Climate Change Agreement, they can but they are currently locked in for four years. Trump – Good news for the Low Carbon Economy? Climate change action in the US continues to be be driven by local government and cities. Even the most climate change skeptic and conservative areas are acting, the difference is that action is framed as energy, health, economic, common sense and sustainability benefits. The renewables and electric vehicles industry in the US is rapidly growing due to private investment, and global and local demand for clean, secure, and ‘cool technology’. It is unlikely the Government can or would put anything in place to slow this growth. In fact the current administration has stated it wants to invest in new infrastructure and mass transit to keep the economy moving. Some of this expenditure is likely to benefit the growing US low carbon business sector. Whatever the current US president and his cabinet believe – climate change is continuing and businesses and countries are positioning themselves to maximise the opportunities and minimise the risks. Arch rival China is more than willing to lead on climate change if the US isn’t, putting billions into replacing fossil fuel power due to energy security and air quality, and the global leadership status it brings. Many other countries are driving up standards, therefore setting the green export requirements of US business even if local standards are weakened. Ultimately local action and innovation will require a longer-term global deal. We already have this in the Paris agreement and global Sustainable Development Goals, and the consensus of the scientific community, business, and world leaders. Let us not get distracted from the task in hand. Sources for this article include: Friends of the Earth, Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit, UK business insider, and Carbon brief.