The U.S. Treasury Department’s Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has officially withdrawn climate-related financial risk principles for banks, the agency announced Monday. Acting Comptroller Rodney Hood stated the guidelines were “overly burdensome and duplicative,” adding that the OCC aims to “calibrate regulatory requirements to be effective, not excessive,” while maintaining financial system stability and fairness.
The move marks a significant shift under President Donald Trump, who resumed office on January 20. Since returning to the White House, Trump has aggressively rolled back climate-focused policies, including exiting the Paris Agreement again, halting global climate finance commitments, and pulling U.S. scientists from participating in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
The now-withdrawn guidance was initially implemented under Democratic President Joe Biden, who prioritized climate risk as a critical issue for financial institutions. Biden’s administration pushed for banks to consider environmental risks, such as those from hurricanes and wildfires, in their risk management frameworks.
Trump and his administration argue that such regulations impose unnecessary burdens on corporations, particularly within the banking sector. The latest rollback aligns with his broader deregulatory agenda, aiming to ease restrictions he believes hinder economic growth.
Environmental advocates have raised concerns over the reversal, warning that eliminating climate risk guidance weakens the financial system’s ability to prepare for and respond to environmental disasters. A recent example includes Hurricane Helene, which devastated parts of Florida in September 2024, highlighting the financial risks of extreme weather events linked to climate change.
With this decision, the U.S. appears to be stepping back from climate-conscious financial regulation, sparking renewed debate over balancing economic interests with environmental responsibility.
© Reuters. All rights reserved.


Nighttime Shelling Causes Serious Damage in Russia’s Belgorod Region Near Ukraine Border
Pentagon Ends Military Education Programs With Harvard University
Trump Administration Sued Over Suspension of Critical Hudson River Tunnel Funding
U.S. to Begin Paying UN Dues as Financial Crisis Spurs Push for Reforms
Trump Orders DHS to Avoid Protests in Democratic Cities Unless Federal Assets Are Threatened
Trump Lifts 25% Tariff on Indian Goods in Strategic U.S.–India Trade and Energy Deal
U.S. Sanctions on Russia Could Expand as Ukraine Peace Talks Continue, Says Treasury Secretary Bessent
Trump Signs “America First Arms Transfer Strategy” to Prioritize U.S. Weapons Sales
Trump Allegedly Sought Airport, Penn Station Renaming in Exchange for Hudson River Tunnel Funding
Paul Atkins Emphasizes Global Regulatory Cooperation at Fintech Conference
RFK Jr. Overhauls Federal Autism Panel, Sparking Medical Community Backlash
U.S.-India Trade Framework Signals Major Shift in Tariffs, Energy, and Supply Chains
China Warns US Arms Sales to Taiwan Could Disrupt Trump’s Planned Visit
Newly Released DOJ Epstein Files Expose High-Profile Connections Across Politics and Business
TrumpRx.gov Highlights GLP-1 Drug Discounts but Offers Limited Savings for Most Americans
Trump Proposes Two-Year Shutdown of Kennedy Center Amid Ongoing Turmoil 



