Energy Gang

Live from COP29: How US states will keep up climate action under a Trump administration

Nov 14, 2024

Wade Crowfoot, California's Secretary for Natural Resources, Travis Kellerman, Senior Climate Policy Advisor for New Mexico, MIT's Jessica Trancik, and The Climate Group's CEO Helen Clarkson discuss state leadership in climate action amid uncertain federal policies. They illuminate how California and New Mexico are driving clean energy initiatives while navigating potential challenges from a second Trump administration. The conversation highlights the vital role of state coalitions, market-based approaches, and the urgency for innovative solutions to uphold climate commitments.

53:22

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Quick takeaways

State governments are stepping up as pivotal leaders in climate action due to the federal government's withdrawal from international agreements.

Collaborative initiatives like the U.S. Climate Alliance enable states to share successful strategies and achieve greater emission reductions collectively.

Economic opportunities arise from clean energy investments, highlighting the interconnection between climate goals and job creation in the low-carbon economy.

Deep dives

Impact of Federal Withdrawal from Climate Agreements

The discussion highlights the significant implications of the U.S. federal government's detachment from international climate agreements, especially with the anticipated policies under a second Trump administration. With Trump's commitment to withdraw from the Paris Agreement again, state governments are expected to assume a more prominent role in climate action. Approximately 24 states, which account for a substantial portion of the U.S. population and economy, are taking strides to progress towards lower emissions. This illustrates the resilience of state-led initiatives in the face of federal retreats from climate commitments.

Intro

2min

State Leadership in Climate Action

11min

State-Level Climate Action: Advances and Challenges

12min

Navigating Climate Policy Amidst Political Change

2min

Opportunities Amid Uncertainty in Climate Action

2min

Navigating Energy Evolution

7min

Climate Action at COP29: Local and Global Perspectives

15min

Initial Impressions and Expectations at COP29

3min

A special COP29 episode exploring the power of states, regions, and cities to advance the energy transition amid uncertain national policies

In this special episode of The Energy Gang from COP29, Ed Crooks brings together a panel of expert guests in Baku, Azerbaijan, to discuss the global implications of the US election and the growing importance of state-level leadership in climate action. He is joined by Wade Crowfoot, California's Secretary for Natural Resources; Travis Kellerman, Senior Climate Policy Advisor to New Mexico's Governor, and Jessica Trancik, a professor at the Institute for Data, Systems and Society at MIT. Ed and his guests explore the evolving dynamics between US states and federal policy in the face of a second Trump administration’s likely withdrawal from the Paris climate agreement.

The panel discuss the role of US states as climate pioneers, especially as federal support wanes. California and New Mexico, along with other climate-active states, are championing clean energy policies, pushing for renewables and other low-carbon infrastructure, and setting emissions standards that other states and countries will follow. Wade and Travis talk about the differences and similarities between the challenges they face, and their individual and collective responses. Some of their ideas, including permitting reform, may be aligned with the priorities of the Trump administration. Others such as stricter vehicle emissions standards, will not.

One area that could offer scope for co-operation between the federal government and climate-forward states is the need to boost electricity supplies for artificial intelligence, which is a priority for national security as well as economic growth. Jessica Trancik explains the potential innovative approaches to power data centers from clean energy sources.

Helen Clarkson, CEO of The Climate Group, also joins the show to share insights from her work, highlighting how states, cities, and regions around the world are forming coalitions that share knowledge and drive ambitious climate commitments.

The gang also provide their thoughts on COP29 as a platform for international dialogue and collaboration, and discuss the importance of these gatherings for holding governments accountable and inspiring innovation in climate action.

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