There are a lot of doom-and-gloom headlines about what will happen to climate policy in the new Congress and administration. However, at Brumidi Group, we strongly believe that climate policy will continue to advance. It just takes knowing how to engage and where to look to make an impact. While the tone and framing of the climate conversation will undoubtedly evolve, one thing is clear: climate policy isn’t going away.
The perception of climate change as solely an environmental issue is outdated. Instead, climate action is intertwined with economic growth, energy security, and international competitiveness. The Trump administration and committee leads may not list climate change as a top policy priority, but they are increasingly focused on policies that bolster energy independence, expand domestic manufacturing, and drive innovation in clean energy technologies. This, ultimately, intertwines directly with climate policy and is an opening for organizations to engage and push their policies forward.
Investments in clean energy technologies, from geothermal to carbon capture and storage, align with Republican priorities around job creation and U.S. energy dominance. Organizations can use this common ground to engage lawmakers, framing climate initiatives as essential to maintaining America’s competitive edge and national security.
As organizations put together their strategies for 2025, we recommend couching climate policy in the following ways:
(1) Emphasize Economic Success Stories: Demonstrate how climate policies, especially within the IRA, have already paid dividends. Use data and anecdotes to show how clean energy projects and other climate investments have boosted economic development in elected officials’ states and districts.
(2) Focus on Footprint. Prioritizing localized issues and tangible benefits will go far. Organizations should highlight how federal climate investments directly benefit their districts or states. For example, emphasize how clean energy projects create jobs, improve infrastructure, and generate tax revenues at the local level.
(3) Build Unique Coalitions. Creating an environment where congressional and agency offices are hearing duplicative messages from multiple sources will always get you further than one organization speaking to an issue. By creating coalitions that include businesses, agriculture, labor unions, municipalities, and others, organizations can amplify the message that climate policies are about ensuring a prosperous and resilient economy.
(4) Find Bipartisan Issues. Issues around resiliency, heat mitigation, carbon capture and storage, and permitting reform have bipartisan appeal. Finding areas to enhance and expand these policy areas can help build long-term champions.
The shift in who controls power in Washington, D.C. might change how organizations engage on climate issues, but certainly should not dissuade groups from advocating. By reframing conversations, localizing impacts, and building coalitions, organizations can still play an active role in impacting the climate discussion.
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