US Department of Energy Designates 'Climate Change', 'Emissions', 'Green', 'Decarbonization' as Prohibited Terms

Phrases like 'sustainability', 'carbon footprint', and 'clean energy' are also banned

A coal-fired power plant (Newburgh, Indiana, USA, AP=Yonhap News File Photo) A coal-fired power plant, the 'Warrick Power Station' in Newburgh, Indiana, USA, is in operation on April 8, 2025. 2025.9.29.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) has added 'climate change', 'emissions', 'green', and 'decarbonization' to its list of prohibited terms, according to a report by Politico, a U.S. political news outlet, on the 28th (local time).

According to an email dated the 26th obtained by Politico, the Department of Energy added these terms to the 'words to avoid' list for its 'Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy' (EERE).

The official email memo, sent by the acting director of external affairs for EERE, stated, "Please ensure all members of your team are aware that this is the most current list of words to avoid. Please continue to be vigilant in avoiding terms that do not align with the views and priorities of the current administration."

Politico commented, "This is the latest in a series of attempts by the Trump administration to deny, silence, or downplay the reality of climate change," and pointed out that "the words on the Energy Department's list are central to the EERE's mission."

This directive applies not only to external communications but also to internal communications, and will be applied to federal grant applications, reports, and briefings.

Among the terms that government officials are prohibited from using are 'energy transition', 'sustainability', 'sustainable', 'clean energy', 'dirty energy', 'carbon footprint', 'CO₂ footprint', 'tax benefits', 'tax credits', and 'subsidies'.

The DOE did not immediately respond to Politico's request for comment.

In his keynote address at a high-level meeting of the UN General Assembly on the 23rd, President Trump described global climate change response and carbon reduction policies led by the UN as "the greatest hoax ever perpetuated on the world" and a "green scam," claiming that the 'carbon footprint' is a scam fabricated by people with malicious intent.

DOE Secretary Chris Wright has also made statements denying established scientific consensus, most recently using a report created under his direction to downplay the role of increased emissions in climate extremes and argue that the potential benefits of global warming are underestimated.

At a press conference on the 24th, Secretary Wright announced the cancellation of $13 billion (18 trillion won) in funding for renewable energy projects, stating regarding incentives for wind and solar power, "If it cannot stand on its own after 33 years, it is not a good business." Yonhap News