US Backtracks on Core Climate Policies and Dismantles Legal Basis Against Emissions. FEB 13, 2026

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US Backtracks on Core Climate Policies and Dismantles Legal Basis Against Emissions.

In one of the most serious actions to date in the United States' environmental regulatory landscape, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has revoked a scientific determination that had underpinned federal climate policies for nearly two decades. The decision could have profound environmental and climate impacts globally, generating heated reactions from scientists, state governments, and environmental movements.

What was revoked is known as a "hazard finding"—an assessment initiated in 2009 that established that greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane pose a threat to public health and well-being, and which served as the basis for federal regulations on emissions from vehicles, power plants, and other industrial sectors under the Clean Air Act.

In practice, without this legal basis, the EPA loses the legal foundation to limit greenhouse gas emissions at the federal level, leaving climate regulation on uncertain ground in the US—setting a precedent for states and regions to establish their own standards or dispute existing norms.

Official Arguments and Context

EPA administrators and White House representatives characterized the repeal as the largest deregulation action in American history, aimed at reducing costs for consumers and industries, particularly in the automotive sector. According to official estimates, the elimination of emission standards could result in an average reduction of approximately US$2,400 in the cost of each new vehicle, among other alleged economic benefits.

The Trump administration also argued that many of the standards guided by the old determination were burdensome and harmed the competitiveness of the American economy, especially traditional sectors such as oil, gas, and fossil fuels.

Scientific Criticism and Global Alarms

Experts and scientific organizations rejected the official arguments. Renowned research panels, such as the U.S. National Academy of Sciences, reaffirm that scientific knowledge about the effects of greenhouse gases on global warming is robust and consolidated, validating an original basis for the discovery of danger.

Leaders and governors of states like California were categorical in criticizing the measure, classifying it as a direct attack on public health and the ability to address the climate crisis. These leaders also promised legal battles to challenge the repeal in federal courts.

Potential Impacts on Climate and Biodiversity

The repeal could weaken the legal basis that would allow the United States to implement emissions reductions aligned with international climate goals. This comes at a time when extreme weather events—from heat waves to intensified storms—are resulting in devastating impacts around the world, highlighting the urgency of robust climate policies.

For vulnerable communities, public health experts warn that easing limits on pollutants and greenhouse gases could intensify respiratory illnesses, worsen chronic conditions, and increase mortality associated with adverse climate effects.

International Repercussions

The American setback also comes at a time when several European, Asian, and Latin American countries are reinforcing their commitments to ambitious climate goals, such as carbon neutrality. The EPA's decision could complicate multilateral negotiations and weaken US influence in international climate pacts such as the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and the Paris Agreement.

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This text was compiled using public data, scientific reports, and information from meteorological institutions.

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