The re-election of Donald Trump as US President in 2024 and his subsequent moves to withdraw from the Paris Agreement and freeze climate spending have sent shockwaves through the world. Within hours of taking office in January 2025, Trump signed an executive order on “Unleashing American Energy” that included pausing funding from key climate initiatives and declaring a national energy “emergency”.

This dramatic policy shift has raised questions about the future of sustainable aviation, particularly given America’s outsized influence on global aviation and its position as the world’s second-largest carbon emitter.

However, a deeper analysis suggests that the transition to sustainable aviation is likely to continue largely unaffected by US federal policy changes. In fact, the resulting redistribution of leadership and investment could accelerate innovation and deployment of sustainable aviation technologies in other regions, while still providing opportunities for American companies to thrive in an increasingly global market.

This report examines the shifting landscape of sustainable aviation leadership, the market forces driving continued progress, and the opportunities that remain for US businesses. It also includes some practical recommendations for industry players and policymakers navigating this complex transition.