Putting America First In International Environmental Agreements

January 20, 2025

Presidential Actions

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Action Summary

Purpose: Emphasize growing the U.S. economy and maintaining jobs while leading global environmental efforts based on successful historical policies that simultaneously advanced economic and environmental objectives.
Critique of Current International Agreements: Highlights that recent international agreements do not align with U.S. values, unfairly redirect taxpayer funds, and may impede American economic interests.
Policy Direction: Mandates that any future international agreements must prioritize U.S. interests and avoid imposing undue economic burdens.
Immediate Implementation Actions:
- Withdrawal from Agreements: Directs the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations to formally notify the withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and any related climate agreements.
- Financial Commitments: Instructs the cessation and revocation of any U.S. financial commitments under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
- Reporting Requirements: Requires detailed certification and reporting on further necessary actions to align international endeavors with the stated U.S. policy objectives.
- Funding Rescission: Revokes the U.S. International Climate Finance Plan and mandates the rescission of frozen funds, with guidance issued by the Director of the Office of Management and Budget within 10 days.
- Departmental Coordination: Orders various department heads and agency leaders to report actions taken to revoke or rescind policies that advance the previously established international climate finance initiatives, with reports due within 30 days.
- Energy Agreement Prioritization: Instructions for departments involved in international energy agreements to focus on economic efficiency, American prosperity, consumer choice, and fiscal restraint.
General Provisions: Clarifies that the order does not override existing legal authorities, does not create enforceable rights, and must be implemented in accordance with applicable law and appropriations.

Risks & Considerations

The withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and other international climate commitments could lead to increased scrutiny and criticism from the global academic community, potentially affecting Vanderbilt University’s international collaborations and reputation.
The revocation of the U.S. International Climate Finance Plan may reduce funding opportunities for research and initiatives related to climate change and sustainability, impacting departments and programs focused on environmental studies and policy.
There is a risk that the emphasis on economic efficiency and American prosperity in international energy agreements could deprioritize environmental sustainability, affecting research agendas and partnerships that align with global climate goals.
Vanderbilt University may need to reassess its strategic priorities and partnerships in light of shifting federal policies on climate and environmental agreements, particularly if these changes influence funding and regulatory landscapes.

Impacted Programs

Vanderbilt’s School of Engineering and its environmental engineering programs may face challenges in securing federal funding for projects related to international climate initiatives.
The Vanderbilt Institute for Energy and Environment might need to adjust its research focus and funding strategies to align with new federal priorities that emphasize economic over environmental considerations.
Peabody College could see changes in educational content and research opportunities related to environmental policy and international agreements.
The Office of Federal Relations may need to increase its advocacy efforts to ensure that Vanderbilt’s interests are represented in discussions about federal climate and energy policies.

Financial Impact

The rescission of financial commitments under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change could lead to a reduction in available grants and funding for climate-related research and initiatives at Vanderbilt.
Changes in federal priorities may necessitate a shift in Vanderbilt’s funding strategies, potentially increasing reliance on private and international sources to support environmental research and programs.
Vanderbilt may need to explore new partnerships and funding opportunities to mitigate the impact of reduced federal support for climate and environmental initiatives.

Relevance Score: 4 (The order presents a need for potential major changes or transformations of programs.)

Key Actions

Vanderbilt’s Office of Federal Relations should monitor changes in international environmental agreements and assess how these changes might impact research funding and collaborations. Understanding the implications of the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement could help the university align its environmental research initiatives with new federal priorities.
Vanderbilt’s School of Engineering should explore opportunities to develop technologies that align with the administration’s focus on economic efficiency and energy policy. By prioritizing research in sustainable energy solutions, the school can position itself as a leader in innovation that supports both economic and environmental goals.
Vanderbilt’s Department of Political Science should conduct research on the broader implications of the U.S. withdrawal from international climate agreements. This research can provide valuable insights into the geopolitical and economic impacts of such decisions, enhancing the university’s role as a thought leader in policy analysis.
Vanderbilt’s Peabody College should consider the educational implications of shifting U.S. climate policies. Developing curricula that address the intersection of environmental science, policy, and economics could prepare students for careers in a rapidly changing policy landscape.

Opportunities

The executive order presents an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s research centers to seek alternative funding sources for climate-related projects. By identifying private sector partnerships and international collaborations, the university can continue to advance its environmental research agenda despite changes in federal funding.
Vanderbilt can capitalize on the administration’s emphasis on economic growth by developing programs that integrate environmental sustainability with economic development. This could include interdisciplinary research initiatives and public-private partnerships that address both environmental and economic challenges.
The focus on promoting American prosperity and consumer choice offers an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s Owen Graduate School of Management to develop case studies and business models that align with these priorities. By engaging with industry leaders, the school can enhance its curriculum and provide students with practical insights into contemporary business challenges.

Relevance Score: 3 (The order requires some adjustments to Vanderbilt’s research and educational strategies to align with new federal priorities.)

Average Relevance Score: 4.2

Timeline for Implementation

Immediately: The U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations must submit withdrawal notifications (subsections a and b), and the cessation or revocation of financial commitments (subsection c) must occur immediately upon issuance of this order.
Within 10 days: The Director of the Office of Management and Budget shall issue guidance to rescind all frozen funds (subsection e).
Within 30 days: A report detailing actions to revoke or rescind previous policies must be submitted by multiple departmental heads (subsection f).

Relevance Score: 5

Impacted Government Organizations

United States Ambassador to the United Nations: Tasked with submitting notifications for withdrawal from key international climate agreements and coordinating with other departments on revoking financial commitments under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
Secretary of State: Responsible for collaborating on notifications, withdrawals, and prioritizing U.S. economic interests in international energy agreements.
Secretary of the Treasury: Involved in revoking financial commitments and coordinating with the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations on obligations under climate agreements.
Secretary of Commerce: Required to report actions regarding the rescission of policies supporting the International Climate Finance Plan and to prioritize economic efficiency in foreign engagements.
Secretary of Health and Human Services: Mandated to submit a report detailing actions to revoke or rescind policies tied to international climate finance.
Secretary of Energy: Charged with prioritizing American economic interests in international energy agreements and reporting on related policy actions.
Secretary of Agriculture: Also included in the reporting requirements to revoke or rescind policies related to the International Climate Finance Plan.
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency: Responsible for reporting on actions taken in response to the order, especially regarding environmental commitments.
Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development: Tasked with submitting a report on revoking or rescinding climate finance-related policies.
Chief Executive Officer of the International Development Finance Corporation: Required to report on actions to withdraw support for international climate financial commitments.
Chief Executive Officer of the Millennium Challenge Corporation: Also mandated to report on reversing policies linked to the International Climate Finance Plan.
Director of the U.S. Trade and Development Agency: Must submit a report detailing measures to undo international financial commitments.
President of the Export-Import Bank: Charged with reporting actions to rescind policies implemented for international climate finance.
Director of the Office of Management and Budget: Instructed to issue guidance for rescinding funds related to the U.S. International Climate Finance Plan.

Relevance Score: 4 (Between 11 to 15 diverse Federal Agencies are directly impacted by the order.)

Responsible Officials

United States Ambassador to the United Nations – Responsible for submitting formal written notifications for the United States’ withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and any related agreements under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, and for certifying subsequent reports.
Secretary of State – Collaborates with the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations on withdrawing from commitments and certifying reports, and is later tasked with prioritizing economic efficiency in international energy agreements, as well as submitting a comprehensive report alongside other agency heads.
Secretary of the Treasury – Works with the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations on revoking financial commitments and is also involved in certifying reports and submitting a detailed report on rescinding policies.
Director of the Office of Management and Budget – Required to issue guidance for the rescission of funds related to the U.S. International Climate Finance Plan.
Secretary of Commerce – Tasked with submitting a report on rescinding policies, and later, with prioritizing economic efficiency in international energy agreements.
Secretary of Health and Human Services – Required to submit a report detailing actions to revoke or rescind policies linked to the International Climate Finance Plan.
Secretary of Energy – Similarly required to submit a report on actions taken regarding the International Climate Finance Plan.
Secretary of Agriculture – Must submit a report detailing its actions to revoke or rescind policies related to the International Climate Finance Plan.
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency – Tasked with submitting a report regarding actions to rescind or revoke policies under the International Climate Finance Plan.
Administrator of the U.S. Agency for International Development – Required to report on the revocation or rescission of policies linked to the International Climate Finance Plan.
Chief Executive Officer of the International Development Finance Corporation – Expected to submit a related report on rescinding policies under the International Climate Finance Plan.
Chief Executive Officer of the Millennium Challenge Corporation – Also required to submit a report detailing rescinded actions regarding the International Climate Finance Plan.
Director of the U.S. Trade and Development Agency – Must provide a report on actions taken to revoke or rescind policies related to the International Climate Finance Plan.
President of the Export-Import Bank – Required to submit a report on the reversal of policies implemented under the International Climate Finance Plan.
Assistant to the President for Economic Policy – Receives detailed certification/report from the Ambassador (and collaborating officials) about further actions needed to meet the policy objectives and receives reports from numerous agency heads.
Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs – Similarly receives certification/reports regarding actions necessary to achieve the order’s policy objectives.
Heads of any other relevant department or agency – Instructed to submit reports on their actions to undo policies linked to the International Climate Finance Plan, and, if applicable, to prioritize economic efficiency in international energy agreements.

Relevance Score: 5 (Impacts White House, Cabinet, and other high-level officials responsible for major national policy and international agreements.)