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Targeting Environmental and Climate Recklessness Act of 2025

USA119th CongressHR-6185| House 
| Updated: 11/20/2025
Veronica Escobar

Veronica Escobar

Democratic Representative

Texas

Ways and Means Committee, Foreign Affairs Committee, Financial Services Committee, Judiciary Committee, Oversight and Government Reform Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
The "Targeting Environmental and Climate Recklessness Act of 2025" aims to combat climate change by authorizing the President to impose sanctions on foreign persons whose actions significantly exacerbate environmental harm. This legislation is presented as one component of a comprehensive approach to address the climate crisis, acknowledging the need for broader international efforts and domestic accountability. It emphasizes deterring egregious behaviors that undermine global temperature targets and contribute to environmental degradation. Specifically, sanctions may be imposed on foreign persons who knowingly, recklessly, or willfully engage in activities causing greenhouse gas emissions inconsistent with limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. This includes actions that significantly undermine the adoption of low-carbon energy technologies or involve the construction of low-efficiency fossil fuel power plants. The bill also targets those involved in illegal deforestation, the loss of natural carbon sinks, or the misrepresentation of a project's environmental impact. Furthermore, sanctions can be applied to foreign persons who limit or circumvent opposition to climate-damaging projects by environmental defenders, or who are complicit in such activities. The types of sanctions include inadmissibility to the United States for individuals and the blocking of property and interests in property within U.S. jurisdiction. The President is also directed to consider information from congressional committees and non-governmental organizations when determining sanctions. The bill also states that it is U.S. policy to consider using existing Global Magnitsky sanctions authorities for environment-linked corruption and human rights abuses, particularly against individuals advocating for environmental protection or those displaced by climate change. Congress expresses a sense that the U.S. government should continue scaling international climate finance and proactively work with foreign governments to promote sustainable economic development. It encourages the Secretary of State to advocate for similar measures internationally to enhance effectiveness. Exceptions to these sanctions include intelligence and law enforcement activities, compliance with United Nations agreements, and the importation of goods. The bill authorizes appropriations for the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) to support the implementation and targeting of persons under this Act. This aims to reinforce the ability of OFAC to address climate-related financial misconduct.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-5625
Targeting Environmental and Climate Recklessness Act of 2019

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-3245
Targeting Environmental and Climate Recklessness Act of 2021

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-10117
Targeting Environmental and Climate Recklessness Act of 2024
Nov 20, 2025
Introduced in House
Nov 20, 2025
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, Financial Services, Oversight and Government Reform, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Dec 1, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-3282
Introduced in Senate
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-5625
    Targeting Environmental and Climate Recklessness Act of 2019


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-3245
    Targeting Environmental and Climate Recklessness Act of 2021


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-10117
    Targeting Environmental and Climate Recklessness Act of 2024


  • November 20, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • November 20, 2025
    Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, Financial Services, Oversight and Government Reform, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.


  • December 1, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-3282
    Introduced in Senate

Environmental Protection

Related Bills

  • S 119-3282: Targeting Environmental and Climate Recklessness Act of 2025

Targeting Environmental and Climate Recklessness Act of 2025

USA119th CongressHR-6185| House 
| Updated: 11/20/2025
The "Targeting Environmental and Climate Recklessness Act of 2025" aims to combat climate change by authorizing the President to impose sanctions on foreign persons whose actions significantly exacerbate environmental harm. This legislation is presented as one component of a comprehensive approach to address the climate crisis, acknowledging the need for broader international efforts and domestic accountability. It emphasizes deterring egregious behaviors that undermine global temperature targets and contribute to environmental degradation. Specifically, sanctions may be imposed on foreign persons who knowingly, recklessly, or willfully engage in activities causing greenhouse gas emissions inconsistent with limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. This includes actions that significantly undermine the adoption of low-carbon energy technologies or involve the construction of low-efficiency fossil fuel power plants. The bill also targets those involved in illegal deforestation, the loss of natural carbon sinks, or the misrepresentation of a project's environmental impact. Furthermore, sanctions can be applied to foreign persons who limit or circumvent opposition to climate-damaging projects by environmental defenders, or who are complicit in such activities. The types of sanctions include inadmissibility to the United States for individuals and the blocking of property and interests in property within U.S. jurisdiction. The President is also directed to consider information from congressional committees and non-governmental organizations when determining sanctions. The bill also states that it is U.S. policy to consider using existing Global Magnitsky sanctions authorities for environment-linked corruption and human rights abuses, particularly against individuals advocating for environmental protection or those displaced by climate change. Congress expresses a sense that the U.S. government should continue scaling international climate finance and proactively work with foreign governments to promote sustainable economic development. It encourages the Secretary of State to advocate for similar measures internationally to enhance effectiveness. Exceptions to these sanctions include intelligence and law enforcement activities, compliance with United Nations agreements, and the importation of goods. The bill authorizes appropriations for the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) to support the implementation and targeting of persons under this Act. This aims to reinforce the ability of OFAC to address climate-related financial misconduct.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 116-5625
Targeting Environmental and Climate Recklessness Act of 2019

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 117-3245
Targeting Environmental and Climate Recklessness Act of 2021

Bill from Previous Congress

HR 118-10117
Targeting Environmental and Climate Recklessness Act of 2024
Nov 20, 2025
Introduced in House
Nov 20, 2025
Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, Financial Services, Oversight and Government Reform, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Dec 1, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

S 119-3282
Introduced in Senate
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 116-5625
    Targeting Environmental and Climate Recklessness Act of 2019


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 117-3245
    Targeting Environmental and Climate Recklessness Act of 2021


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    HR 118-10117
    Targeting Environmental and Climate Recklessness Act of 2024


  • November 20, 2025
    Introduced in House


  • November 20, 2025
    Referred to the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and in addition to the Committees on the Judiciary, Financial Services, Oversight and Government Reform, and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.


  • December 1, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    S 119-3282
    Introduced in Senate
Veronica Escobar

Veronica Escobar

Democratic Representative

Texas

Ways and Means Committee, Foreign Affairs Committee, Financial Services Committee, Judiciary Committee, Oversight and Government Reform Committee

Environmental Protection

Related Bills

  • S 119-3282: Targeting Environmental and Climate Recklessness Act of 2025
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted