Navigating Uncertainty: Protecting the Rainforest Amid Political Change  

• The Trump Administration has formally directed the US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and other climate-related commitments, posing challenges to global climate action, biodiversity preservation, and international cooperation.
• Recent policy shifts threaten to weaken global climate commitments, accelerate fossil fuel expansion, and roll back key environmental protections.
• In collaboration with our local partners, RFUS will continue safeguarding the rainforests of Central and South America and advancing community-led forest protection and climate action.

As the United States transitions into a new presidential administration, environmental organizations like Rainforest Foundation US (RFUS) are gearing up to address the potential impacts on unified climate action. Political shifts inevitably reshape the landscape for environmental policy, funding, and advocacy. And more than ever, these changes highlight the importance of grassroots organizations coming together to protect Earth’s remaining ecosystems.

Shifts in Environmental Policy 

The Trump administration has swiftly acted on its campaign promises, including signing the “Putting America First in International Environmental Agreements” executive order, which formally directs the US withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and other climate-related commitments.¹ These actions reduce climate finance commitments, roll back key environmental regulations, and prioritize domestic energy interests over international environmental cooperation. Such measures pose a significant threat to global efforts to combat climate change and protect biodiversity. Notably:

• Withdrawal from International Climate Agreements: The executive order eliminates federal climate finance contributions, halts funding to initiatives such as the Green Climate Fund, and instructs federal agencies to rescind policies that support international environmental efforts. By stepping back from global commitments, the US is weakening collective climate goals and reducing international cooperation under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The withdrawal of the largest cumulative emitter of carbon pollution globally from the Paris Agreement will likely hinder global climate negotiations and reduce greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets among other nations, risking setbacks in achieving the 1.5°C climate target—already breached for the first time in 2024. The US exit will undermine collective efforts to limit global warming and weaken commitments from other major carbon emitters.²

• Rescission of Climate-Related Policies: Besides withdrawing from international climate agreements, the administration has moved to revoke key domestic climate policies, including executive orders related to the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). These changes are expected to slow the clean energy transition by reducing tax incentives and regulatory support for renewable energy projects, potentially discouraging private sector investment and hindering emissions reduction efforts.

• Declaration of a National Energy Emergency: President Trump has declared a “national energy emergency” to expedite the development of fossil fuel infrastructure. This aligns with his campaign promises to promote the oil and gas industries and roll back previous climate policies. The new administration is expected to prioritize short-term economic gains over long-term environmental sustainability by accelerating fossil fuel production. Increased oil extraction in the Amazon could have severe consequences, leading to deforestation and pollution, particularly in ecologically sensitive areas. US oil companies currently hold exploration and production rights to several Amazon oil blocks that overlap with Indigenous peoples’ territories, further threatening local communities and biodiversity.³

• Regulatory Rollbacks: The new administration has also initiated rollbacks on critical environmental protections, including the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) greenhouse gas standards and methane emission rules. These deregulations could accelerate fossil fuel production and weaken environmental oversight, prioritizing short-term economic growth over long-term sustainability.

• Impact on Climate Finance: Trump has rescinded the US International Climate Finance Plan, which provided strategic financial support for developing countries to combat climate change. Vulnerable communities, including those in the Amazon, could face funding shortfalls for essential adaptation and mitigation efforts. The new administration has also placed a 90-day pause on all overseas development assistance while they review each of those initiatives, further adding uncertainty about US commitments to provide international aid. 

These policy changes are expected to send ripples across the globe. Reduced US participation in climate leadership could embolden anti-environmental agendas and weaken international cooperation. Latin American nations, many of which are allied in Amazon protection, may face strained relations due to divergent policy priorities.

The outlook for global renewable energy markets remains uncertain. While the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) has driven substantial clean energy investments in the US, recent policy changes, including the rollback of tax incentives and regulatory support, threaten to slow the transition to renewables. The new administration’s prioritization of fossil fuel development over clean energy initiatives may hinder progress, affecting both domestic and international climate goals.

RFUS: Advancing Forward 

US government support has played an important role in advancing initiatives to protect Indigenous peoples’ lands and mitigate deforestation in the Amazon. While RFUS’s mission is not contingent on US policy, diminished engagement could affect the larger landscape in which we operate. In this context, RFUS’s mission becomes even more vital. Over the coming years, we think it will be strategic to support:

• Community-led action: Support Indigenous communities to protect their territories through technology and sustainable practices and community-led initiatives.

• Diversifying Partnerships: Expand collaboration with international allies to ensure continued support for forest protection and Indigenous peoples’ rights.

• Resilience and adaptation: Expand programs that build community resilience to climate impacts, such as the most recent drought and fires in the Amazon, independent of political cycles.

Harnessing Collective Strength  

Times of uncertainty demand a collective response. RFUS is committed to drawing strength from its network of partners, donors, and loyal supporters. Together, these efforts will continue to protect the Amazon, even as political winds shift.

This is not a time to retreat but to advance forward together, rooted in the power of community action and a shared commitment to justice, biodiversity, and climate resilience.

Notes:

1. Executive Order. Putting America First In International Environmental Agreements. January, 20, 2025. ↩︎
2. Nature. Earth breaches 1.5 °C climate limit for the first time: what does it mean? January, 10, 2025.
   ↩︎
3. Repsol. Camisea Project. Index
   ↩︎