Trump’s Climate Policy Branded ‘Dangerous and Deeply Misguided’ by Former UK Supreme Court Judge

Carnwath argues that Trump’s approach to climate change amounts to a deliberate withdrawal from responsibility, echoing concerns raised by experts such as Jeremy Wallace, who previously characterised the US decision to exit the Paris Agreement as an “abdication” of global leadership.

The criticism comes amid Trump’s long-standing position that climate change is a hoax, alongside efforts during his administration to dismantle environmental protections and promote expanded fossil fuel production.

Drawing on his legal background, Carnwath highlights that climate science itself is no longer seriously contested in courts. Over years of observing climate-related litigation in the United States and internationally, he notes that there has been little meaningful legal challenge to the scientific consensus or to the risks posed by inaction.

He points to the landmark case Juliana v United States during Trump’s first term as a key example. In that case, government lawyers did not dispute the scientific evidence presented by the plaintiffs. The court acknowledged a largely uncontested record showing that US authorities had long supported fossil fuel development despite being aware of its potentially catastrophic consequences.

According to the ruling, continued reliance on such policies could accelerate severe environmental damage. A dissenting judge in the case went further, warning that the country had already reached a critical tipping point requiring urgent and coordinated action, yet government policy continued to move in the opposite direction.

Despite these findings, constitutional limits prevented the court from intervening directly in government policy. Carnwath argues that this legal context makes current political decisions even more concerning, as they ignore well-established scientific and judicial recognition of the risks.

He concludes that, among the many controversial policies associated with Trump, his stance on climate change stands out as particularly dangerous, with potentially catastrophic consequences if left unaddressed.