US Politics and the Green Transition

US Politics and the Green Transition

How the US election results influence renewable energy investments, regulatory frameworks, and international climate commitments

The 2024 U.S. presidential election outcome had a significant impact on the green transition and climate policies. This quick chat explored how the election results influenced renewable energy investments, regulatory frameworks, and international climate commitments. Join us to discuss the intersection of politics and sustainability at this pivotal moment.

Piers Scholfield

PIERS SCHOLFIELD

Director, Blakeney

Piers is a veteran journalist turned communications advisor. He leads Blakeney’s Impact team, supporting business leaders, charities and international organisations who aspire to genuine change, particularly across the energy transition, climate tech and nature sectors.  

Before joining Blakeney, Piers spent two decades in journalism, much of it covering international news with the BBC. His obsession with US politics was sated by a stint as Washington producer, criss-crossing the country to cover the 2008 presidential election campaign, Obama’s inauguration and his first months in office. This was followed by several years based in Brussels – punctuated by a migration crisis, terrorist attacks and Brexit – then as Africa producer, deployed to biggest stories on the continent. 

In late 2019 Piers moved to NBC News to set up a primetime climate show on a new international TV news channel, a project curtailed by the pandemic. He went on to Sky News, where he launched TV and audio programming focused on climate change and solutions to the crisis. 

Shaun Spiers

SHAUN SPIERS

Executive Director, Green Alliance

Shaun is the executive director of Green Alliance. Prior to joining Green Alliance in 2017, he was chief executive of CPRE, the countryside charity. Previously he led ABCUL, the credit union trade association. From 1994 to 1999, he was MEP for London South East, serving on the European Parliament’s Agriculture and Rural Affairs Committee. Shaun chaired the Greener UK coalition of environmental groups and has sat on various government committees, including the Strategic Trade Advisory Group and the Green Jobs Delivery Group. His book, How to build houses and save the countryside, was published by Policy Press in March 2018.

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