PROVIDENCE — Efforts to combat climate change took a blow last week when former president Donald Trump was elected to a second term. With Republicans also commanding majorities in Congress, the president-elect is expected to be far more hostile toward climate priorities than he was in his first term.

Trump has made a campaign pledge to scuttle the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the cornerstone legislation from the Biden administration that has rolled out millions of dollars for renewable energy, heat pump adoption, and environmental projects in recent years. In May, Trump promised on the campaign trail to issue an executive order blocking all offshore wind projects.

It’s likely to have a significant impact in Rhode Island, which has seen some $800 million in federal dollars steered its way from the IRA and Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, as well as the state’s nascent attempts to become an offshore wind hub.

Environmental groups are wary and bracing for impact.

“There’s no sugar-coating it, Trump’s election is disastrous for our climate,” said Caitlin Sanford, co-president of Climate Action Rhode Island (CARI). “It’s estimated that the administration change is going to result in four billion tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emitted by 2030, compared to President Biden’s plans.”

Sanford said Trump’s pledges to withdraw from the Paris Climate Accords — the 2016 international agreement setting worldwide carbon reduction goals — and scuttle renewable energy would close the door on climate warming staying below 2 degrees Celsius.

Jeff Migneault, co-president of CARI, said offshore wind was especially at risk. “Trump has a special delusional hate of offshore wind and has said he will immediately work to stop the industry,” he said. “I’m not sure if he can stop those already in progress, but he can clearly get in the way of those needing federal permits.”

Other groups, despite Trump’s public distaste for recent climate gains, have pledged to continue to work with the other side of the aisle. Barbara Watts, state coordinator for the Rhode Island chapter of the Citizens Climate Lobby, a nonpartisan climate advocacy group, pledged to continue the group’s bipartisan approach to passing climate bills.

“This is an especially critical time to bring our experience working on bipartisan climate legislation to the task,” Watts said. “Legislation that wins bipartisan support to curb climate change and adapt to its consequences will be increasingly important as the impacts of a warming climate worsen.”

Dan Corley, one of the co-leaders of CCL’s Rhode Island chapter, said CCL worked hard to support the candidates with the most effective climate solutions nationally, and were disappointed when those candidates were not elected.

“We are also dedicated to making sure that a carbon fee and dividend program is adopted by our country,” he said. “We hope that our new president will be amenable to both this concept and international cooperation to address environmental issues.”

A lot has changed on the state level in Rhode Island since the last Trump administration. In 2021, lawmakers passed the Act on Climate law, which mandates the state reach a series of carbon emission reduction goals to get to net zero by 2050. In 2022 lawmakers passed the 100% Renewable Energy Standard, requiring all retail electricity sold in Rhode Island be offset by renewable energy by 2033.

And last year, the Department of Environmental Management passed an agency rule to adopt Advanced Clean Cars II and Advanced Clean Trucks, regulations adopted from California state government that would gradually phase out gas-powered car and truck sales in Rhode Island. Although those new rules may already be in danger; Trump pledged to not allow California to set its own emissions standards, and the conservative Supreme Court is likely to overturn such rules if a case comes before it.

With a more hostile federal government regarding climate protections, environmental groups are stressing the need to turn toward state policymakers for greater action. Emily Howe, interim director of Clean Water Action Rhode Island, said Ocean State voters are environmental voters, electing climate-friendly candidates and passing important spending such as this year’s green economy bond.

“The state-level work will matter more than ever,” Howe said. “I’m confident Rhode Island will be at the forefront to demonstrate what good government can accomplish for people.”

“Entering an area where federal funding will be cut and more EPA protections struck down, funding for our state-level agencies is critical,” Sanford said. “A role we can play as citizens is following progress and ensuring that good laws on the books are followed, while advocating for new protections at the state and municipal level.”

Watts said R.I. CCL was already planning to redouble and refocus its lobbying efforts at the state level in Rhode Island.

“We’re proud of Rhode Island legislators who have been forward looking and worked hard to pass the Act on Climate, and 100% Renewable Energy Standard,” she said. “However, they know, as we do, that more policies are needed to urgently drive action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, while increasing environmental justice and improving environmental education. That’s our mission for 2025 legislative action.”

Trump’s inauguration for his second term is scheduled for Jan. 20.