President-elect Donald Trump may 'surprise' the world when it comes to tackling climate change, according to a professor from the University of Reading, one of the world's leading research centres. 

On Wednesday morning, former President Trump secured the required 270 electoral college votes needed to make him the next president of the United States. 

As of midday, the Republican politician had secured more than 71 million votes - compared with 66 million votes cast for his opponent, Democrat Kamala Harris. 

On the campaign trail, Trump had he would not be a dictator 'other than day one', when he would be 'closing the border' and 'drilling, drilling, drilling' - referencing fracking and other fossil fuel energy sources. 

"After that, I’m not a dictator," he said during an interview on Fox News in December last year. 

During his first term in the White House, Trump removed the US from the Paris Agreement, a legally binding international treaty designed to halt global warming. President Biden later returned the US to the treaty. 

But Trump may oversee surprising results when it comes to addressing climate change, according to a professor from one of the world's leading universities for the study of climate change has said

Professor Chris Hilson, an expert in climate change law and policy, said that Trump's background in business may see him pivot away from fossil fuels. 

Professor Hilson said: "Trump’s re-election may surprise on climate.

"Internationally, Trump may withdraw the US from the Paris Agreement for a second time, but that’s not likely to have the sort of impact it did before in terms of international diplomacy. It’s already more or less priced in. Other countries will carry on without the US.

"Trump is a businessman. And he likes to win. Sticking to a fossil fuel economy is not likely to position the US economy for the win. So that may yet be the surprise on climate in a Trump presidency. This is not climate, this is business.

"Trade is one of Trump’s favourite policy tools, but it can also be used against him if he tries to engage in a climate race to the bottom."

In January, the River Thames reached its highest recorded level in Reading since the town's major floods of 1947 - with more frequent flooding expected due to climate change. In January, the River Thames reached its highest recorded level in Reading since the town's major floods of 1947 - with more frequent flooding expected due to climate change. (Image: NQ)

Reports say that Trump spent election night alongside Elon Musk, the owner of the social media platform X, who Trump had previously suggested could be given a cabinet position. 

The 'real question,' according to Professor Hilson, is how Musk's position within Trump's White House will impact efforts to decarbonise the economy. 

Professor Hilson said; "With Elon Musk’s role in the election, we may see a push to position the US as a new energy powerhouse, with a great Lithium industry, a resurgent nuclear industry, and an internationally competitive EV auto and battery industry.

"Politicians like Trump are elected for a relatively short term, but the markets invest for periods beyond this. So, US industry will be positioning itself for a decarbonised economy.

"It won’t be investing in coal. And demand for oil and gas will fall as electrification proceeds."

A delegation of staff and students from the University of Reading are set to join climate leaders from across the world in Baku for COP29, the 29th annual United Nations climate change summit, next week.