Written by: Basant El-Farmawy
Recent official documents revealed that the office of former North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper received massive funding from non-profit entities to cover the salaries of prominent climate advisors, aimed at pushing an advanced environmental agenda in the state. The documents showed that the United Nations Foundation provided millions of dollars to support climate initiatives led by Cooper's task force over the past years.
UN funding to support climate policies
Between 2020 and 2024, the state received funding totaling about $1.7 million from the United Nations Foundation, as part of broader efforts to support emission reduction goals and achieve environmental transition. These funds were allocated to finance salaries, employment benefits, and travel for key climate policy advisors in the governor's office. These teams oversaw the development and implementation of plans aimed at expanding offshore wind energy projects, decarbonizing the state's electricity grid, mandating a transition to electric vehicles, and reducing buildings' reliance on natural gas.
Confrontation with lawmakers and political repercussions
These environmental policies sparked wide divisions within the conservative-leaning state, where the Republican legislative majority successfully blocked many of the local administration's plans. Despite these challenges, Cooper's administration continued to push for legislation targeting significant carbon emission reductions in the electricity sector, and applying strict standards for the sale of electric cars and trucks. At a time when Cooper is running a Senate race amid sharp criticism over the transparency of funding those policies, opinions varied regarding the economic feasibility of these measures and their potential impact on energy costs for citizens.
