The CEO of Liberty Energy, Chris Wright, a prominent figure in the fracking industry, has long dismissed concerns about a climate crisis and dismissed the idea of an energy transition. His stance, however, is at odds with global trends, particularly in China, where the country is rapidly advancing in the clean energy sector, manufacturing key technologies for the future, including solar panels and electric vehicles.
While China races ahead, the US, under former President Donald Trump, appears to be heading in the opposite direction. Trump, who has appointed Wright to a key energy position—pending Senate approval—has charged him with reducing regulatory hurdles and pushing the country toward “U.S. Energy Dominance.”
However, the path forward remains unclear. The US already leads the world as the largest oil and gas producer, a position it achieved even under the administration of President Joe Biden. Despite this, the US continues to be the second-largest emitter of greenhouse gases, trailing only China. Biden has attempted to steer the country toward cleaner energy solutions, halting new gas export licenses and implementing the Inflation Reduction Act to promote electric vehicles and renewable energy industries.
In contrast, Trump and Wright are expected to reverse these initiatives, focusing instead on increasing fossil fuel production. A significant concern is the impact of this shift on global climate efforts. If the US, a major emitter and wealthy nation, retreats from climate action, it could embolden other countries to follow suit or continue business as usual, potentially undermining international climate progress.
Azerbaijan, which hosted COP29 climate talks in its capital Baku, provides a prime example of the challenges faced by nations with abundant fossil fuels. The country heavily depends on oil and gas for 60% of its state revenue and 90% of its exports. President Ilham Aliyev has even referred to the country’s fossil fuel wealth as a “gift from God.” For nations like Azerbaijan, the reluctance of the US to lead on clean energy could make it harder to justify transitioning away from fossil fuels.
The dilemma extends to developing countries, many of which are reliant on fossil fuels for economic growth. Wright himself has argued that more fossil fuel energy is needed to help lift people out of poverty, citing the high upfront costs of wind and solar projects, despite their long-term savings. Financing clean energy projects is also more challenging for poorer nations, especially given the ongoing subsidies for fossil fuel industries.
At COP29, efforts are underway to create a fund to support clean energy in developing nations. World leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron and Barbados’ Prime Minister Mia Mottley, are pushing to reform global financial systems to make clean power more accessible to the Global South. If these efforts fail, Wright’s predictions about the future of fossil fuels could ring true.
