As President Donald Trump moves forward with plans to dismantle former President Biden’s renewable energy initiatives in favor of fossil fuels, environmentalists and climate advocates are gearing up for a legal showdown. Trump, who consistently criticized Biden’s climate policies throughout his campaign, has promised to undo what he referred to as the “green new scam,” targeting key measures like the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and related climate policies. Since taking office, he has reinforced this pledge by declaring an “energy emergency” and signing executive orders that favor the oil, gas, and coal industries while restricting wind energy development across the country.
The shift in U.S. energy policy has left many clean energy developers uncertain about the future, with a cloud of investment instability looming. However, a growing number of climate groups are fighting back by taking legal action. Over recent years, environmental organizations have increasingly turned to the courts to challenge policies they see as detrimental to the planet. A 2024 analysis revealed that Big Oil is facing a surge in climate-related lawsuits, with the number of cases against major oil and gas companies nearly tripling since 2015. This trend is expected to continue as Trump introduces policies aimed at reversing climate progress in favor of new fossil fuel projects.
In interviews with prominent environmental groups, it learned that while many of Trump’s executive orders are still in the early stages of implementation, there is a clear intent among these groups to challenge his energy policies in court. Several organizations have already filed legal briefs to protect existing air pollution regulations, signaling a readiness for battle.
Despite these efforts, some environmental advocates remain cautiously optimistic about the effectiveness of Trump’s climate rollback. While he has already taken steps to reduce the staffing of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), including placing 168 employees in its Office of Environmental Justice on leave, experts caution that shrinking these agencies may hinder his ability to weaken regulations. Bethany Davis Noll, Executive Director of the State Energy and Environmental Impact Centre at New York University School of Law, noted that rewriting rules requires a comprehensive process, which includes demonstrating the benefits of changes and responding to public input. With detailed records from the Biden administration backing many of the existing regulations, it could prove difficult for the Trump administration to reverse them in court.
However, there are growing concerns that the reduction in staffing could negatively affect climate progress. Brett Hartl, Government Affairs Director at the Centre for Biological Diversity, argued that fewer personnel in agencies like the EPA could make it harder to maintain environmental protections. “If you don’t have people working at the EPA, it’s pretty hard to keep the air clean, the water clean,” Hartl explained.
Trump’s energy agenda also includes efforts to reverse protections established under the Outer Continental Shelf Lands Act, which Biden had used to safeguard the Atlantic and Pacific coasts from offshore oil and gas drilling. In February 2025, multiple environmental groups filed a lawsuit to stop Trump from lifting these protections, which have long had bipartisan support in Florida.
Martha Collins, Executive Director of Healthy Gulf, criticized Trump’s actions, emphasizing that protecting the eastern Gulf was a bipartisan effort, one that was solidified by Biden’s permanent protection of the Florida coastline. “Unfortunately, we have to file suit to stand up against the rash and inconsistent policies of the Trump administration,” Collins said.
As environmental organizations prepare for a wave of lawsuits, Sam Sankar, Senior Vice President at Earthjustice, indicated that legal challenges will target several of Trump’s recent executive orders, especially those related to energy distribution. While these groups remain committed to defending climate progress in the courts, many are waiting to see if Trump’s orders are truly implemented, as several similar measures from his first term were never carried out.
The battle over energy policy is far from over, and environmentalists are determined to use the courts to ensure that climate protection remains a priority, even amid political pushback.