Biden's final push: €22 billion for climate action

Outgoing US President Joe Biden has driven through a series of comprehensive climate measures to secure his environmental policy legacy, reports American sustainability platform Trellis.

The initiatives range from investments in battery technologies and energy storage to solar power and offshore natural gas drilling restrictions.

"You know, it will take time to feel the full impact of all we’ve done together. But the seeds are planted, and they’ll grow, and they’ll bloom for decades to come", Biden said in his farewell speech.

Trump: 'Decisions' will be terminated

Donald Trump, who takes office at 12:00 New York time on Monday, has already criticised Biden's final sprint. On 6 January, he wrote on his media platform Truth Social:

"Biden is doing everything possible to make the transition as difficult as possible, from lawfare such as has never been seen before, to costly and ridiculous executive orders on the Green New Scam and other money wasting hoaxes", Trump wrote, adding:

"Fear not, these 'orders' will all be terminated shortly."

However, many climate investments initiated by Biden through the Inflation Reduction Act are already so well-established in the market that they will be difficult to halt, Trellis reports.

Still, how much all this could influence Europe's impact scene remains unclear, as Trump’s less sustainability-focused agenda takes shape. While Biden’s established climate investments may create some opportunities, the uncertainty surrounding future US policies could also dampen their potential impact.