Mr. Trump signed a new executive order on climate change

US President Donald Trump has just signed a new executive order on climate change, aiming to limit US emissions regulations and global climate agreements.

Surrounded by coal miners, President Donald Trump (center) signs the Energy Independence Executive Order at the Energy Conservation Agency headquarters in Washington DC. Photo: AFP

On March 28, Mr. Trump signed an executive order to review some of his predecessor Barack Obama's climate change legacy, declaring that he would end these "job-killing principles."

During his first visit to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), as reported by AFP, President Trump ordered a review of emissions limits for coal-fired power plants and the lifting of federal restrictions on coal production.

Mr Trump said the new measures heralded “a new era for energy and coal production and job creation”. Coal miners were present when Mr Trump signed the order.

Mr. Trump’s views on climate are similar to those of many Republicans. According to Gallup, about 68% of Americans believe that climate change is caused by humans. However, only about 40% of Republicans say they are worried about it.

The US coal industry has long been in decline, with natural gas, cheap renewable energy and complex geology making the fuel less and less profitable.

According to the US Energy Information Administration, there were 88,000 coal miners in the country in 2008. However, today the number of coal miners has decreased by about 25%.

In response to Mr. Trump's move, some experts and environmental groups warned that the order could be the beginning of an effort to undermine internationally agreed goals under the Paris Climate Agreement.

Reducing emissions from coal-fired power plants is one of the key commitments to cut US carbon emissions by 26% to 28% by 2025. "It will make it almost impossible for the US to meet its target," said climate expert Bob Ward of the London School of Economics.

Some experts also warn that the economic benefits of abandoning Obama's Clean Power Plan will be limited. "I don't think the executive order will have much impact. Cutting EPA funds and abolishing its regulations will not bring the coal industry back," said Professor James Van Nostrand of West Virginia University.

The Trump administration has yet to say whether it will withdraw from the Paris Agreement. "Whether we stay or not is still under discussion," a senior administration official told AFP.

According to Tuoi Tre