Clean energy leaders are emphasizing economic benefits over climate concerns, hoping to appeal to policymakers who prioritize financial growth over environmental action.

Seth Borenstein and Alexa St. John report for The Associated Press.

In short:

• Clean energy groups in the U.S. and globally are stressing job creation and economic growth instead of climate urgency, particularly under the Trump administration.
• Lobbying efforts in Washington and messaging from the U.N. now highlight the $2 trillion invested in clean energy and its potential for wealth generation.
• Industry leaders argue this shift could win over conservative policymakers who may reject climate arguments but support economic opportunities.

Key quote:

“It’s a very winning message for outreach to conservatives because it’s really true. If we play our cards right and lead the world to this, we can create a lot of wealth, create a lot of jobs here in America.”

— former U.S. Rep. Bob Inglis, South Carolina Republican and founder of the conservative climate group RepublicEN.org

Why this matters:

Focusing on profits rather than climate risks reflects a major shift in how clean energy is marketed, especially under a government skeptical of climate policies. Historically framed as a moral imperative to combat the worsening effects of climate change, renewable energy is increasingly being marketed as a profitable and practical choice — one that can generate returns for investors while reducing dependence on volatile fossil fuels. This shift is particularly notable in the context of political environments where climate policies are met with skepticism or outright resistance.