This bill, titled the "Targeting Environmental and Climate Recklessness Act of 2025," aims to authorize the imposition of sanctions against foreign persons whose actions significantly worsen climate change, contribute to deforestation, or endanger environmental defenders. Congress finds that climate change poses severe threats, with global temperatures already exceeding the 1.5-degree Celsius threshold, necessitating drastic reforms to reduce emissions and protect carbon sinks. The bill emphasizes that these targeted measures are one component of a comprehensive approach to address the climate crisis.

The President may impose sanctions on foreign persons who knowingly, recklessly, or willfully engage in activities causing greenhouse gas emissions inconsistent with the 1.5-degree Celsius target, as determined by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. This includes actions that undermine the adoption of high-efficiency, low-carbon, or renewable energy infrastructure, such as building low-efficiency fossil fuel power plants. Sanctions can also be applied for engaging in illegal deforestation, loss of natural carbon sinks, or misrepresenting the environmental impact of projects or products.

Furthermore, the bill targets those who limit or circumvent opposition to such activities by environmental defenders, or who are complicit in, support, or are owned/controlled by persons engaged in these harmful actions. This includes government officials who promote such policies. The policy explicitly considers using existing Global Magnitsky sanctions authorities for environment-linked corruption and human rights abuses against environmental defenders.

Sanctions available include

inadmissibility to the United States
blocking of property and financial transactions within U.S. jurisdiction
other sanctions specified under the Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act

. The President is directed to consider information from congressional committees and credible non-governmental organizations when determining sanctions. Exceptions are provided for intelligence activities, compliance with United Nations agreements, and the importation of goods.

The bill authorizes the President to use authorities under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act for implementation and sets penalties for violations. It also authorizes appropriations for the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) to support the targeting of persons under this Act and enhance its ability to impose sanctions under the Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act.