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Today, Congresswoman Veronica Escobar (TX-16) and Congresswoman Nydia M. Velázquez (NY-07) introduced H.R. 5625, the Targeting Environmental and Climate Recklessness Act (TECRA). The corresponding Senate bill was introduced by Senator Markey (D-MA) on November 21, 2019.

This legislation authorizes the imposition of sanctions against those whose actions significantly exacerbate climate change, in order to reinforce efforts to limit global average temperature rise. Sanctions are a critical foreign policy tool that already help curb illicit trafficking, cyber activity, and corruption. TECRA expands sanction authority to recognize the human and security impacts of a major global challenge, climate change.

The Targeting Environmental and Climate Recklessness Act would provide the United States government authority to sanction foreign actors who endanger our environment, such as causing significant excess greenhouse gas emissions, illegal deforestation, mining or ranching. Foreign individuals who willfully misrepresent the environmental impact of a project, investment or product could also be targeted.

“Climate change is an urgent global crisis that demands a strong and swift response,” said Congresswoman Escobar. “As Congress continues to push for ambitious climate action by the United States, it is imperative that we also ensure we have the foreign policy tools necessary to combat this threat and protect our planet for future generations. The Targeting Environmental and Climate Recklessness Act would deter and hold accountable foreign individuals and companies who engage in reckless behaviors that exacerbate this crisis.”

“When fires blazed through California or hurricanes struck Texas, it was the most vulnerable, our low-income communities of color, who were and will continue to be hit the hardest,” said Congresswoman Velázquez. “That’s why I’m proud to co-lead this legislation with Rep. Escobar that will implement hardline penalties for bad actors who exacerbate climate change. Practices such as encouraging illegal deforestation or incentivizing low efficiency infrastructure are recklessly increasing our carbon footprint and we cannot afford to be reckless when millions of lives are at stake.”

“Congresswoman Escobar understands that even as we fight to enact a Green New Deal here at home, we must use all of the tools of our foreign policy to change the behavior of companies and individuals most responsible for hastening to the climate crisis,” said Senator Markey. “I am proud to work with Rep. Escobar on targeted measures that will deter polluters, while ensuring that efforts to mitigate climate risk do not worsen global inequality. This legislation would bring us closer to a complete global strategy, driven by United States, that matches the magnitude of the climate crisis.”

"Each day that we fail to act, the climate crisis grows more and more dangerous,” said Keith Slack, Director of Strategic Impact and Campaigns of EarthRights International. “We need to take comprehensive action domestically, and we also need to leverage all of the foreign policy tools available to us. With this bill, Congress will send a clear message that reckless, climate-damaging behavior will no longer be tolerated."

“The U.S. has a responsibility to tackle both domestic and international sources of greenhouse gas emissions, and Global Witness welcomes this legislative proposal to use U.S. sanction tools to target those set to contribute the most to worsening the climate crisis,” said Zorka Millin, Senior Legal Advisor of Global Witness. “This law would deter further buildup of coal power, deforestation and attacks on environmental and land defenders. Investors are now on notice that companies most responsible for such reckless actions will not be welcome in our financial system.”

To view the bill text, click here and to view a section-by-section of the bill, click here.

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