Trump Administration to End Climate Assessment Contract

The Trump administration plans to end its contract with global advisory firm ICF, which plays a key role in producing the National Climate Assessment (NCA). The NCA is a comprehensive report published every five years that assesses how climate change impacts the United States. The administration’s decision to scrap this contract has raised concerns about the future of the assessment due in 2028.

ICF’s Role in US Climate Research

ICF has been integral in supporting the US Global Change Research Program (USGCRP), an agency established by Congress in 1990. USGCRP coordinates climate research efforts and oversees the production of national climate assessments. The firm provides most of the staff needed to carry out the work for USGCRP, including contributions to the NCA.

The 2023 assessment revealed that climate change is increasingly driving up costs for Americans. These costs include higher prices for weather-related insurance, certain food items, and medical care, especially as extreme heat becomes more prevalent.

Uncertainty for Future Climate Assessments

With the loss of the contract, the future of the 2028 National Climate Assessment is uncertain. One source familiar with the situation mentioned that the lack of a contract raises questions about how the next report will be produced. However, neither ICF nor the White House's Office of Science and Technology Policy has responded to requests for comment on the matter.

Also read: EU's Move to Ease AI Regulations for Startups

Trump Administration’s Push to Cut Government Research

This move aligns with the Trump administration's broader efforts to reduce government spending on what it deems wasteful, including scientific research. The administration has already imposed job cuts and reduced funding at various government agencies, including the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).

A stop-work order was also issued for USGCRP and NOAA staff involved with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the United Nations body responsible for producing global climate assessments.