THE upcoming change in the White House has sparked assessments on the likely policy direction under President–elect Donald Trump. There is cautious optimism in India, considering the excellent relationship he shares with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the bold decision-making often associated with Trump. Here’s a contrarian peek on the likely policy direction on renewables by the Trump administration.
In the 2008 and 2024 campaigns, the Republicans have expressed support for increased drilling for petroleum and gas as sources of additional energy. This is best captured by the Republican campaign slogan ‘Drill, baby, drill!’ However, this campaign preference for fossil fuels may not automatically translate into an opposition for the renewables.
The reasons are not hard to fathom. The renewables are technology-oriented smart solutions to the climate change challenges. Such smart solutions keep US industry consistently ahead on the adaption and innovation curve, reduce carbon emissions, and enables the US to retain the leadership role in various global climatechange conversations.
Public resonance
The renewables also resonate well with the American public. According to a 2023 YouGov poll of American attitudes toward 17 energy sources, US adult citizens have a highly favourable view of renewable energy, including solar power (74 per cent), hydropower (66 pc), wind power (65 pc), and geothermal energy (55 pc).
President-elect Trump has nominated Lee Zeldin to serve as administrator of the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Trump has indicated that Zeldin shall be tasked with ensuring fair and swift deregulatory decisions to support American businesses, while maintaining the highest environmental standards. The upcoming release of 2026 Renewable Volume Obligations (RVOs) by the EPA shall provide clearer indications of Lee Zeldin’s policies on renewables.
Multiple convergence
Meanwhile, Trump’s ‘Business First’ policies enable multiple convergences with India. These could be built upon. One of the major outcomes of the G20 Summit, hosted by India in 2023, was the setting up of the Global Biofuel Alliance to promote the development and adoption of sustainable biofuels and set relevant standards and certification. India, Brazil and the US are the founding members of the alliance. The three founding members of alliance contribute about 85 per cent of the global production and the 81 per cent of consumption of ethanol.
The US has also joined the International Solar Alliance, established in 2015 by India and France at the COP21 summit in Paris. This alliance again presents multiple opportunities for India and the US to work together in terms of technologies, finance mobilisation and joint projects in third countries while being together on a sustainable, low-carbon growth path.
