On his first day in office, the new US president signed almost 30 executive orders – several related to climate specifically or ESG broadly. While notable because the next highest number of executive orders signed by a US president on inauguration day was nine by Joe Biden in 2021, this approach was in no way a surprise.

Regardless, these (very precedented) actions have caused quite a bit of consternation in the world of sustainability – in particular, his decision to pull the US out of the Paris Agreement (again) and the onslaught that Republicans are delivering to self-identified responsible investors. We take a look at what Trump’s approach means for climate and sustainable finance – in general and in South Africa specifically – by answering some of Krutham’s clients’ FAQs.

This thought leadership piece explores:

• The broader implications of the US administration’s policy approach on climate and finance.
• What this means for investors navigating ESG challenges.
• Key takeaways for South African markets and sustainable finance strategies.