Obama to Trump: Clean energy will happen whether you like it or not

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Reddit
Email
Obama is confident in the

As his White House term draws to a close, president Barack Obama has argued that the momentum of wind and solar is “irreversible”, in a last-ditch attempt to tout clean energy.

In an article for Science, one of the world’s most prestigious scientific journals, Obama launched a defence of emissions regulations and climate action, in the face of Trump’s ardent denial of global warming and plans to scrap the Paris Agreement and Clean Power Plan.

This article requires Premium SubscriptionBasic (FREE) Subscription

Try Premium for just $1

  • Full premium access for the first month at only $1
  • Converts to an annual rate after 30 days unless cancelled
  • Cancel anytime during the trial period

Premium Benefits

  • Expert industry analysis and interviews
  • Digital access to PV Tech Power journal
  • Exclusive event discounts

Or get the full Premium subscription right away

Or continue reading this article for free

Writing in the journal, Obama argued that reducing greenhouses gases (GHGs) can help economic growth. On the heels of his article came a petition signed by more than 600 collective businesses and investors who also argued that clean energy and a low-carbon economy is good for business.

Emissions regulations can “boost efficiency, productivity and innovation,” he wrote. “Specifically, CO2 emissions from the energy sector fell by 9.5 percent from 2008 to 2015, while the economy grew by more than 10 percent…The importance of this trend cannot be understated. This 'decoupling' of energy sector emissions and economic growth should put to rest the argument that combatting climate change requires accepting lower growth or a lower standard of living.”

The outgoing president also argued that investments needed to reduce emissions should be continued. A recent memo written by the team leading Trump’s energy transition outlined the administration’s energy plans, which included cutting back all climate-related regulations and favouring fossil fuels. Trump also publically confirmed his intention to scrap related investment, during his presidential campaign.

Clean energy’s unstoppable trend

Obama’s two terms in office have resulted in a flurry of environmental legislation, including the EPA’s Clean Power Plan and a significant boost in renewable energy projects.

“The business case for clean energy is growing,” Obama concluded, “and the trend toward a cleaner power sector can be sustained regardless of near-term federal policies…The latest science and economics provide a helpful guide for what the future may bring, in many cases independent of near-term policy choices, when it comes to combatting climate change and transitioning to a clean-energy economy.”

He also emphasised the importance of the US sticking to the Paris Agreement, saying it would benefit not only the US, but the international community as a whole. However, he added that Trump has the opportunity to “chart his own policy course” and his administration need not follow policies identical to his own. Last month, Bill gates concluded that the US is likely to see fewer incentives for renewables under Trump, after a phone call with the president-elect to discuss energy policy.

But due to the momentum clean energy has seen worldwide, Obama remained “confident” that this would continue, in spite of Trump.

“The mounting economic and scientific evidence leave me confident that trends toward a clean-energy economy that have emerged during my presidency will continue and that the economic opportunity for our country to harness that trend will only grow.”

The president also pointed to increasing private-sector investments in clean energy, and reductions in the per-kilowatt cost of solar and wind power.

President Obama’s article will be published in tomorrow’s edition of Science, and can be read in full here.

7 October 2025
San Francisco Bay Area, USA
PV Tech has been running an annual PV CellTech Conference since 2016. PV CellTech USA, on 7-8 October 2025 is our third PV CellTech conference dedicated to the U.S. manufacturing sector. The events in 2023 and 2024 were a sell out success and 2025 will once again gather the key stakeholders from PV manufacturing, equipment/materials, policy-making and strategy, capital equipment investment and all interested downstream channels and third-party entities. The goal is simple: to map out PV manufacturing in the U.S. out to 2030 and beyond.
21 October 2025
New York, USA
Returning for its 12th edition, Solar and Storage Finance USA Summit remains the annual event where decision-makers at the forefront of solar and storage projects across the United States and capital converge. Featuring the most active solar and storage transactors, join us for a packed two-days of deal-making, learning and networking.
16 June 2026
Napa, USA
PV Tech has been running PV ModuleTech Conferences since 2017. PV ModuleTech USA, on 16-17 June 2026, will be our fifth PV ModulelTech conference dedicated to the U.S. utility scale solar sector. The event will gather the key stakeholders from solar developers, solar asset owners and investors, PV manufacturing, policy-making and and all interested downstream channels and third-party entities. The goal is simple: to map out the PV module supply channels to the U.S. out to 2027 and beyond.

Read Next

September 17, 2025
US renewables developer Longroad Energy has reached financial close for its 400MW 1000 Mile solar project in the US state of Texas.
September 17, 2025
Nexamp has secured US$350 million through a long-term financing facility to expand its 6GW utility-scale solar and battery storage pipeline in the US. 
September 17, 2025
The California State Legislature has passed two bills that aim to reduce energy prices in the state, AB 825 and SB 302.
Premium
September 17, 2025
PV CellTech: Martin Pochtaruk, CEO of North American solar module manufacturer Heliene, says US producers must learn to survive without tax incentives.
Premium
September 16, 2025
At RE+, industry leaders pointed to the resilience of the US solar sector, despite challenges brought by the 'One Big, Beautiful Bill' Act.
September 16, 2025
Two Wisconsin Republicans have introduced legislation to open access to community solar projects in the US state.

Subscribe to Newsletter

Upcoming Events

Solar Media Events
September 30, 2025
Seattle, USA
Solar Media Events
October 1, 2025
London, UK
Solar Media Events
October 2, 2025
London,UK
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
Manila, Philippines
Solar Media Events
October 7, 2025
San Francisco Bay Area, USA