Countries Growing More Ambitious on Climate, Despite U.S. Retreat

The Trump administration is dismantling federal climate policies, including clean energy subsidies and pollution limits, but researchers found no widespread retreat among other major emitting countries. Their analysis suggests climate action is continuing globally and becoming more ambitious, showing that progress also depends on national laws and decisions beyond international negotiations.

The Oxford researchers reviewed more than 800 climate measures across 39 countries that account for most global emissions. Of these, 718 remain unchanged, 45 have been delayed, 32 weakened and 11 repealed; eight of the repeals were in the United States. Separately, recent Democratic midterm gains may create opportunities for state-level energy reforms in the US, amid concerns about data centres’ gas use and rising electricity costs.