With President Donald Trump’s return to the White House, there are a range of anticipated changes coming that will affect sectors both within the U.S. and abroad, including Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) from the UN, environmental policy, corporate transparency, and the global climate outlook. Financial Time’s Moral Money newsletter provided an interesting outlook on a few of these sectors, the international community’s perspective, and how policy changes could reshape regulatory landscapes, influence corporate practices, and alter some of the dynamics of international agreements on sustainability.

The SDG, clean energy, and ESG sectors are preparing for a period of transition. Environmental policies are expected to undergo substantial change, with deregulation likely to be a central theme. Organizations like the Natural Resources Defense Council are likely already gearing up to take sustainability issues to the courts, which could energize environmental advocacy and lead to new partnerships in the private sector aimed at sustainable solutions. This shift toward deregulation may also drive fresh innovation in clean technology and advocacy efforts, as stakeholders adapt to the evolving landscape.

For corporate America, changes in climate reporting rules could make international standards like the ISSB more influential. Brazil has already adopted ISSB standards, while Japan and the UK plan to follow suit, and the EU has introduced its own sustainability reporting requirements. Without similar U.S. standards, especially if the SEC halts work on climate disclosure rules, the U.S. could have fewer transparency requirements, which might encourage U.S. companies to voluntarily adopt international standards to stay aligned with global expectations.

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), signed in 2022, has driven substantial investments in clean energy and boosted domestic manufacturing and energy projects across the U.S. While President Trump has expressed intentions to rescind unspent funds, many acknowledge the Act’s positive economic impact, especially given the significant funding flowing into Republican states. As businesses adapt to potential regulatory changes, they may explore innovative ways to sustain green initiatives while continuing to leverage the economic opportunities provided by the IRA.

The timing of President Trump winning the election is key as countries gather for the COP29 Summit in Azerbaijan to discuss climate funding. The U.S. will be represented by an outgoing administration, raising doubts about any long-term commitments it might make. President Trump has expressed skepticism about U.S. contributions to international climate agreements, pledging to withdraw from the Paris Agreement again and potentially scaling back U.S. involvement in global climate initiatives. This shift could impact climate finance efforts at the World Bank, where the U.S., as the largest shareholder, plays a major role in supporting green development. At COP29, the response of other nations will reveal whether they plan to increase their climate efforts to offset any changes in U.S. commitments.

With the new Trump administration, it will be interesting to see how the coming years shape a transformed era of U.S. and international cooperation, where public and private sector strengths come together in regards to SDG efforts to drive resilience and progress through innovative global partnerships.