US Shutdown: Impact on International Climate Policies

The US government shutdown is having direct consequences on international climate policies, with thousands of federal employees furloughed and billions of dollars in clean energy grants frozen.

One of the most significant projects canceled is Esmeralda 7, an ambitious complex of seven solar parks in the Nevada desert, which would have generated 6.2 gigawatts of electricity. The project was removed from the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM) list of ongoing programs.

In addition, the Department of Energy announced the suspension of nearly 7 billion euros in grants for hundreds of green energy and infrastructure projects. Among the cuts are a 1 billion euro hydrogen project in California and a corresponding 860 million euro program in the Northwest.

A study by Penn State University found that during the 2018–2019 shutdown, coal-fired power plants emitted more fine particulate matter due to the temporary suspension of inspections by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The consequences of the shutdown extend beyond US borders, as any delay in American climate policy affects international markets and global commitments to reduce emissions.