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As the US Presidential election approaches, the global business environment is at a critical crossroads, especially regarding issues of climate change, environmental impact and energy management. With candidates such as Donald Trump, Joe Biden and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. each presenting their own policies and visions, the outcome of this election will have a profound impact on strategic business decisions around the world.
Environment+Energy Leader is launching a global survey of business leaders across industries to gauge their views on which presidential candidate they believe will best support their business objectives in these critical areas. This survey is your opportunity to voice your opinion on how the next U.S. president is likely to shape the regulatory and economic landscape that impacts sustainability and energy stewardship.
Research Details:
- question: Which presidential candidate do you think would best support your business goals around sustainability, environmental impact and energy stewardship?
- Comments section: After you select an option, you have space to enter an optional comment, where you can elaborate on your choice and discuss any policies or characteristics that influenced your decision.
Your insights will be invaluable, and selected responses may be featured in our future articles throughout 2024. Insights may be shared anonymously or directly attributed to you, giving you a platform to have your voice heard in the global conversation.
Why join?
- Influencing content: Your perspective helps shape our content so it is most relevant to your interests and concerns.
- Global impact: This election will impact business operations and strategies not only in the United States but around the world. By sharing your views, you can broaden our understanding of what business leaders around the world think and expect from U.S. leadership.
We know that this election is important not only to our readers in the United States, but to a broader audience around the world. The policies enacted by the next U.S. President will have ripple effects on global markets, the regulatory and investment environment, and could change the way companies around the world operate.
Do your research: E+E Leaders Presidential Influence on Business Sustainability Goals Study
Examination of policy candidates related to the environment and energy
The following section provides a brief overview of the presidential candidates' environmental and energy policies, focusing only on the candidates' positions and past or proposed actions in these key areas, while purposefully leaving aside other political and personal controversies that are often topics of discussion in today's politics.
This approach allows for clear comparisons based on topics that directly impact sustainability and energy management, which are at the core of our readership. While we recognize that broader political dynamics and personal issues may affect a candidate's effectiveness in office, our analysis will focus solely on environmental and energy issues in order to remain relevant and neutral for our specialized readership.
In addition to assessing the policies of President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump, we also cover Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Given that Kennedy's poll numbers are not low and his campaign is expected to potentially be the most influential third-party candidate since Ross Perot in 1992, it is essential to consider his views and proposals, as well as the impact his high polling numbers will have on the presidential election and the election results overall. Including Kennedy in our analysis provides a wider range of options for voters interested in sustainability and environmental and energy stewardship. We aim to provide a comprehensive overview of the candidates who are in a position to shape U.S. policy on these important issues.
Joe Biden's Environmental and Energy Policy
President Joe Biden's Administration has introduced strong policies to combat climate change and promote sustainability. Key aspects of Biden's environmental strategy include significant financial investments in clean energy and infrastructure, including the Defeat Inflation Act, the largest climate change investment in U.S. history. The Biden Administration is committed to achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, with an interim goal of reducing emissions by 50-52% from 2005 levels by 2030.
Biden also used the Defense Production Act to boost domestic manufacturing of clean energy technologies. The act supports U.S. manufacturing of critical components such as solar panel parts and power grid infrastructure. Biden's policies are focused on strengthening the nation's electric grid, boosting the clean energy sector, and creating good-paying jobs while ensuring the resilience of communities.
Additionally, Biden's Federal Sustainability Plan aims for comprehensive sustainability measures across federal operations, including achieving 100% carbon-free electricity by 2030 and transitioning to zero-emission federal vehicles by 2035.
Donald Trump's Environmental and Energy Policies
Donald Trump's environmental and energy policies have consistently prioritized energy independence and economic growth over climate issues. His “America First Energy Plan” focused on deregulating and strengthening the fossil fuel industry, including reviving the coal sector, expanding offshore and public lands drilling, and rolling back numerous environmental protections.
Trump's policies have sought to roll back many of the previous administration's climate and environmental regulations, arguing that these were economically restrictive. In particular, he withdrew the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement. He repealed the Clean Power Plan and instead introduced the Affordable Clean Energy Rule, which would allow increased carbon emissions from power plants. His administration has also aggressively reduced federal oversight and constraints on oil, gas, and coal production, arguing that these measures would create jobs and reduce energy costs.
At a campaign rally this month, President Trump promised attendees that he would issue an executive order to halt offshore wind development on his first day in office. These actions reflect a broader view that is skeptical of mainstream climate science, and that President Trump and several appointees from his previous administration have questioned the impact of human activities on climate change and prioritized economic interests tied to fossil fuels.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s Environmental and Energy Policy
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. has had a long career as an environmental lawyer, actively promoting sustainable practice and policy. A senior attorney at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) and founder of the Waterkeeper Alliance, Kennedy has worked extensively on issues including water conservation and natural resource protection in the Americas.
He was instrumental in negotiating treaties protecting Indigenous lands and is recognized for his efforts to ensure the environmental integrity of New York City's water supply through stakeholder agreements and sustainable development practices.
Throughout his career, Kennedy has been a vocal opponent of environmental harm, using his legal background to help protect ecosystems and fight pollution. His environmentalism led to him being recognized by Time magazine as a “Hero of the Earth,” proving his significant contributions to the environmental movement. Read more about Kennedy's stance on environmental issues and regenerative agriculture.
Share your thoughts – Join now
We want to hear from you! Your input is invaluable in understanding where our community stands on these important issues and shaping the coverage and discussion we host at Environment+Energy Leader. Your participation helps us better represent your concerns and interests around sustainability and energy stewardship. Please take this survey to share your thoughts about which candidates you think will best support the environmental and energy goals that are so critical to our future.
