Environment, Land & Resources

Category Archives: Air Quality and Climate Change

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California Air Resources Board Releases Draft Scoping Plan Update (Part 3)

CARB doubles down on LCFS Program and liquid transportation fuels. By Joshua T. Bledsoe and Jennifer Garlock On May 10, 2022, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) released its Draft 2022 Scoping Plan Update (Draft Scoping Plan) for public review and comment. Assembly Bill (AB) 32, the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (AB … Continue Reading

California Air Resources Board Releases Draft Scoping Plan Update (Part 2)

CARB opts to stay the course on Cap-and-Trade Program. By Joshua T. Bledsoe, Michael Dreibelbis, and Alicia Robinson  On May 10, 2022, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) released its Draft 2022 Scoping Plan Update for public review and comment. Assembly Bill (AB) 32, the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (AB 32), required … Continue Reading

California Air Resources Board Releases Draft Scoping Plan Update (Part 1)

The Draft 2022 Scoping Plan Update takes an all-of-the-above approach to decarbonize California. By Joshua T. Bledsoe and Brian McCall On May 10, 2022, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) released its Draft 2022 Scoping Plan Update for public review and comment. Originally, the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 required CARB to develop … Continue Reading

White House Announces New Initiatives and Guidance on Clean Energy Transition

CCUS and clean hydrogen will play a significant role in the Administration’s efforts to address hard-to-decarbonize industries to promote clean US manufacturing. By Janice Schneider, Nikki Buffa, and Kevin Homrighausen On February 15, 2022, the White House announced important actions in furtherance of the Biden Administration’s broader decarbonization goals — this time with an eye … Continue Reading

California Senate Passes Broad GHG Emissions Reporting Requirements

If adopted, the Senate bill would require large US companies doing business in California to report Scopes 1, 2, and 3 emissions as of January 2024. By Jean-Philippe Brisson, Marc T. Campopiano, Jennifer K. Roy, Joshua T. Bledsoe, Julie Miles, and Alicia Robinson The California Legislature is considering a bill to impose corporate sustainability reporting … Continue Reading

President Biden Outlines Comprehensive Plan for Federal Sustainability

The president’s executive order aims to use the US government’s procurement power to achieve “carbon pollution-free electricity” by 2030 and net zero emissions by 2050. By Jennifer Roy and Julie Miles On December 8, 2021, President Biden issued an Executive Order on Catalyzing Clean Energy Industries and Jobs Through Federal Sustainability (EO), which aims to set … Continue Reading

Regional US Transportation & Climate Initiative Program Comes to an End

A multistate cap-and-invest program to reduce carbon emissions from the transportation sector is dead after several participating states pulled out. By Jean-Philippe Brisson, Joshua T. Bledsoe, Benjamin Einhouse, and Brian McCall Less than one year ago, the governors of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut, as well as the mayor of the District of Columbia, announced … Continue Reading

COP26: Key Takeaways From the Glasgow Summit

The Glasgow conference was praised as a huge step forward in tackling climate change, but also drew criticism for not going far enough. By Jean-Philippe Brisson, Paul A. Davies, Michael D. Green, and James Bee Between 31 October and 12 November 2021, Glasgow hosted the 26th annual Conference of Parties (COP26) to the United Nations … Continue Reading

TCFD Releases New Guidance on Climate-Related Metrics, Targets, and Transition Plans

The guidance offers clarification on key aspects of the TCFD’s recommendations on climate reporting. By Paul A. Davies, Michael D. Green, and James Bee On 14 October 2021, the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) released a new guidance document on climate-related metrics, targets, and transition plans (the Guidance). The Guidance seeks to support … Continue Reading

Webcast: Wildfire Implications on California Development

Developers and municipalities must continue to evaluate potential wildfire impacts on projects under CEQA and consider recent legislative changes. By Marc T. Campopiano and Shivaun A. Cooney Wildfires have posed increasing risks in recent years to the public and environment in California. The importance of understanding how wildfires may impact new development and infrastructure is … Continue Reading

UK Government Launches Hydrogen Strategy and Business Model Consultation

Strategy positions UK as a world leader in the hydrogen space, supporting 9,000 plus jobs and unlocking £4 billion in investment by 2030. By Paul Davies, John-Patrick Sweny, and James Bee On 17 August 2021, the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) published the UK’s first Hydrogen Strategy (the Strategy). The Strategy sets … Continue Reading

China’s National ETS Launches Trading

The start of trading represents a significant opportunity for businesses able to achieve meaningful reductions. By Paul A. Davies and R. Andrew Westgate Nearly four years after China’s national emissions trading scheme (ETS) was announced in late 2017, trading of emissions quotas officially commenced on July 16. The start of trading represents a significant step … Continue Reading

TCI Program Established to Reduce Carbon Emissions From Transportation

The program will include a multi-jurisdictional cap-and-invest program and aims to address environmental justice and equity concerns. By Jean-Philippe Brisson, Joshua T. Bledsoe, Benjamin Einhouse, and Brian McCall On December 21, 2020, the Governors of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut, as well as the Mayor of the District of Columbia, announced that their respective jurisdictions … Continue Reading

Financial Services Trade Organizations Publish Principles for Regulatory Sustainability Transition

The principles are intended to guide the industry’s engagement with policymakers concerning the ongoing economic transition away from carbon. By Paul A. Davies, Jason C. Ewart, and Edward R. Kempson The US Climate Finance Working Group, a group of leading financial services trade associations, has published “Financing a US Transition to a Sustainable Low-Carbon Economy” … Continue Reading

CARB Steers Clean Miles Standard Toward Formal Rulemaking

The agency has further strengthened electrification targets and provided additional details on compliance options for Transportation Network Companies. By Joshua T. Bledsoe, Charles C. Read, and Jen Garlock The California Air Resources Board (CARB) is developing the Clean Miles Standard and Incentive Program (Clean Miles Standard), a first-of-its kind regulation designed to reduce greenhouse gas … Continue Reading

UK to Establish Net Zero Emissions Trading Scheme

The newly published Energy White Paper establishes a domestic trading scheme and sets out plans to clean out energy.  By Paul A. Davies and Michael D. Green On 14 December 2020, the UK Government published its Energy White Paper (the Paper). The Paper builds on previous green economy plans, setting them “in a long-term strategic … Continue Reading

Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures Publishes 2020 Status Report

The annual report shows a considerable uptake in the adoption of climate-centred financial disclosures. By Paul A. Davies and Michael D. Green The Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) published its Annual Report on TCFD-aligned disclosures by firms (Annual Report), on 29 October 2020. The TCFD was established by the Financial Stability Board (FSB) … Continue Reading
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