Democratic Lawmakers Propose Sanctions for Climate Harm

Sen. Edward Markey, D-Mass., and Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas, introduced a bill Nov. 13 that would authorize the president to sanction foreign individuals and companies that are most responsible for exacerbating climate change and deforestation.

The Targeting Environmental and Climate Recklessness Act (TECRA) also could lead to sanctions on those that misrepresent the dangerous environmental impact of their products or projects, engage in corruption that leads to climate-damaging projects, or commit human rights abuses against environmental advocates.

“The United States has successfully restricted financial access for foreign individuals and companies involved in egregious behaviors, including cybercrime, human rights abuses, corruption, and wildlife trafficking, yet no restriction exists for the people and entities destroying our environment,” a Markey press release says. “As nations gather for the international climate negotiations in Azerbaijan, it is more important than ever to develop tools to hold to account the people and companies responsible for the worst pollution, deforestation, and abuses against environmental defenders.”

The bill, which is co-sponsored by Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., was referred to the Senate Banking Committee and to several House committees, including Foreign Affairs.