Gina McCarthy: "We Have to Work with Our International Partners" On Advancing Clean Energy

Why It Matters

McCarthy’s call for multilateral clean‑energy cooperation signals a shift toward shared innovation and financing, creating immediate opportunities for U.S. businesses and investors in the global green transition.

Key Takeaways

• Emphasize opportunity-driven approach amid clean‑energy challenges for industry
• Advocate leveraging international expertise to compensate US policy gaps
• Highlight US “all‑in” strategy to secure global clean‑energy leadership
• Call for collaboration with EU despite its own energy hurdles
• Urge proactive stance, “standing tall,” as partners shift priorities

Summary

Gina McCarthy, the former EPA administrator, used a recent remarks to stress that the United States must deepen cooperation with foreign allies to accelerate the clean‑energy transition. She framed the current turbulence as a chance to adopt an "opportunity‑driven" mindset, positioning the U.S. "all‑in" approach as a catalyst for global leadership while acknowledging domestic policy gaps.

McCarthy highlighted three core insights: first, the U.S. should lean on the technical know‑how of partners—particularly the EU—who have navigated their own energy challenges; second, international collaboration can fill the vacuum left by a federal government that is not actively shaping the dialogue; and third, a proactive, "stand tall" posture is essential as other nations recalibrate their priorities.

Key quotes underscored her message: "We have to work with our international partners" and "If they’re going to fly the coop, we have to figure out how to stand up and be tall." She cited the EU’s experience as a template, noting that many foreign experts possess deeper insights into clean‑energy deployment than domestic stakeholders.

The implications are clear: U.S. firms and investors should anticipate increased cross‑border projects, joint research initiatives, and policy alignment efforts. By positioning America as a collaborative hub rather than a solitary actor, the strategy could unlock new financing streams, accelerate technology diffusion, and reinforce the country’s competitive edge in the burgeoning green economy.

Original Description

"I just have to take a step back and think about not all the things that are going wrong but the opportunities ahead" for advancing clean energy, says Gina McCarthy, former White House national climate advisor and US EPA administrator and chair of America Is All In. "There is a hopeful view."

McCarthy was speaking at an Atlantic Council event with the European Commission’s Teresa Ribera on climate cooperation. Watch the full event here: https://youtu.be/SmxzJySttgw