During his address at the United Nations General Assembly, President Donald Trump criticized renewable energy sources and questioned the scientific consensus on climate change. He made several claims regarding the effectiveness and economic impact of clean energy, asserting that sources like solar and wind are unreliable and more expensive than fossil fuels. Trump described the Paris Agreement as a "scam" and stated that the U.S. was treated unfairly in international climate discussions.

Trump claimed that renewable energy sources "don't work" and are a "joke," arguing they cannot support modern infrastructure. However, the International Energy Agency reported that in 2024, 80% of the growth in global electricity generation came from renewable and nuclear sources, with solar and wind accounting for 16% of the U.S. electricity supply, surpassing coal. Furthermore, over 90% of new renewable projects are now cheaper than fossil fuel alternatives.

The president also stated that while China produces most of the world's wind technology, it relies heavily on coal and gas. In contrast, the IEA noted that solar and wind contributed to 20% of China's electricity generation in 2024, although China remains the largest coal consumer globally.

Trump criticized Europe’s energy policies, particularly Germany's, claiming that the country is struggling financially due to its commitment to renewable energy. However, German officials have countered this by stating that over 60% of their electricity now comes from renewable sources. They emphasized their commitment to achieving 80% renewable energy by 2030.

The president dismissed U.N. predictions about climate change, labeling them as exaggerated. In contrast, scientific consensus indicates that climate change is real, human-caused, and poses significant risks. Reports from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the U.S. National Climate Assessment support this view, stating that human activities have unequivocally caused global warming.

Trump also claimed that reducing carbon emissions leads to job losses. However, clean energy jobs have been growing at a rate more than three times faster than the overall U.S. economy, with over 500,000 jobs added in the past five years.

Additionally, Trump mentioned that Europe experiences high heat-related deaths due to the costs associated with air conditioning. While the World Resources Institute noted that Europe does lag in air conditioning, it also pointed out that many buildings are designed to retain heat, complicating summer living conditions.

On the topic of coal, Trump stated he has instructed his staff to refer to it as "clean, beautiful coal." While coal is abundant and provides significant energy, it is also a major source of carbon dioxide emissions, contributing to climate change. The U.S. Energy Information Administration has noted that coal combustion releases harmful pollutants, despite improvements in emissions controls.

In his speech, Trump defended the use of fossil fuels, arguing they are essential for energy security and economic growth. He urged nations to prioritize fossil fuels over renewable energy, despite ongoing global trends favoring cleaner energy sources. His administration's policies have historically supported fossil fuel production, even as market forces increasingly favor renewables.