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The document establishes the conceptual foundations for an exploratory paper on disability rights and justice during the transition to electric school buses. It defines disability justice (DJ) and environmental justice (EJ) as frameworks rooted in the experiences of marginalized communities and people of color. It expands the definition of 'accessible school buses' beyond wheelchair lifts to include sensory and comfort-based features. Additionally, it details the four primary types of school buses (A, B, C, and D) and their capacities for ADA lift integration, while outlining the legal protections provided by the ADA, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and IDEA.

The 'Next Stop, Access! Before You Read' toolkit defines key terms and frameworks used in a research paper on the transition to electric school buses. It explains 'disability justice' and 'environmental justice' as lenses to focus on communities most impacted by climate change. The document details the types of school buses (A, B, C, and D), the concept of universal design, and the legal protections for people with disabilities in the US, such as the ADA, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, and IDEA. It also introduces 'intersectionality' to describe how overlapping identities, such as race and disability, affect a person's experiences and access to resources.

The Solidarity for Environmental Defenders (STAND) initiative, a partnership between the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the Alliance for Land, Indigenous, and Environmental Defenders (ALLIED), provides support to local environmental defenders (LEDs) who face threats, criminalization, and violence. The initiative focuses on capacity building, financial support through a Small Grants Fund for Defenders, and the creation of collaborative partnerships to improve legal accountability and security for defenders in countries with weak governance or high extractive activity. The program operates in Brazil, Guatemala, Mexico, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, and Liberia.

The Standing Together for Environmental Defenders (STAND) initiative, led by the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the Alliance for Land, Indigenous, and Environmental Defenders (ALLIED), addresses the security risks faced by grassroots environmental defenders (GEDs). These defenders often face criminalization, physical attacks, and murder, particularly in regions dependent on natural resource extraction. STAND implements a strategy based on co-created training in advocacy and legal accountability, the Defender Small Grant Fund (DSGF) for evidence-based advocacy, and collaborative partnerships to strengthen solidarity networks. The initiative focuses its efforts on Brazil, Guatemala, Mexico, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, and Liberia.

The STAND Initiative, a partnership between the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the Alliance for Land, Indigenous, and Environmental Defenders (ALLIED), aims to protect environmental and territory defenders who face threats such as criminalization, physical aggression, and murder. Operating in Brazil, Guatemala, Mexico, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kenya, and Liberia, the initiative focuses on strengthening prevention strategies for underserved communities and civil society organizations. Its strategy comprises three main pillars: capacity building to improve advocacy and legal accountability, the Defender Seed Grant Fund (DSGF) providing small grants for evidence-based advocacy, and the creation of collaborative alliances to strengthen local solidarity networks and increase government and private sector accountability.

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) allocated $12.1 billion to advance carbon management technologies in the United States. Two years into implementation, the Department of Energy (DOE) and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) have launched several key programs. The Carbon Capture Demonstration Projects Program has selected nine FEED study projects and three demonstration projects, including the Baytown, Project Tundra, and Sutter projects. The Carbon Storage Validation and Testing Program has awarded funding to projects across multiple states, including Texas, Louisiana, and Wyoming, to develop large-scale sequestration and transport infrastructure. Additionally, the EPA has allotted $48 million to 25 state and Tribal recipients to support the regulation of UIC Class VI wells. In the realm of carbon removal, the Regional Direct Air Capture (DAC) Hubs Program has selected two commercial-scale hubs in Texas and Louisiana for award negotiations. The document notes that while progress is underway, agencies have until 2026 to allocate remaining funds, and future success depends on shared transport networks and community engagement.

GreenLatinos boycotted COP28 due to the appointment of a state-owned oil company CEO as summit president and the hosting of the event in the United Arab Emirates, a top oil producer. The organization argues that the presence of nearly 2,500 fossil fuel lobbyists and the UAE's history of methane emission misinformation compromised the conference's integrity. While acknowledging the agreement to "transition away" from fossil fuels and the US announcement of Methane Oil and Gas rules, GreenLatinos maintains that the COP28 outcome falls short of a complete fossil fuel phase-out required to protect frontline communities.

The document argues that the protection of environmental defenders is critical for combating the climate crisis and that the Escazú Agreement provides the necessary legal framework to ensure access to information, public participation, and justice. It highlights the disproportionate risks faced by women and indigenous peoples, and warns that the energy transition must not replicate the extractive and colonial patterns of the fossil fuel industry.

A coalition of organizations argues that the next U.S. farm bill must move beyond 'business-as-usual' to address the climate crisis, food insecurity, and systemic discrimination. The statement advocates for a comprehensive suite of bills designed to achieve net-zero agricultural emissions by 2040, expand SNAP access, protect farmworkers from heat and toxic pesticides, and curb the power of corporate agriculture.

The document examines the disproportionate impact of climate change on African youth and their subsequent rise in activism. It highlights the gap between youth demographics and political leadership in Africa, the specific climate vulnerabilities in countries like Nigeria and Sudan, and the systemic barriers activists face, including financial constraints and state repression. The author calls for the establishment of youth councils, dedicated funding, and protection mechanisms to ensure young people can shape climate-resilient policies.

The briefing assesses the health and economic co-benefits of a 45% emissions cap on Canada's oil and gas sector. It projects that such a cap would avoid approximately 4,860 premature deaths between 2030 and 2040, resulting in an economic benefit of CAD $45.1 billion. The document highlights the link between oil and gas emissions and pollutants like NO2, PM2.5, and ozone, which contribute to respiratory and cardiac diseases. It also criticizes the federal government for failing to conduct a promised independent health study on communities near the oil sands and calls for a national study on the health costs of oil and gas production, similar to research conducted in the U.S.

The briefing reports a global pipeline of 917 mtpa in new LNG export capacity and 705 mtpa in import capacity, representing an estimated US$1 trillion investment. It warns that a wave of new projects coming online by the middle of the decade, primarily in the United States and Qatar, could lead to market saturation and unprofitable stranded assets. The report highlights that while Asia and Europe are the primary developers of import capacity, demand in these regions is uncertain due to decarbonization goals and price sensitivity. It further notes that many projects are already facing delays or cancellations, and that the buildout in the U.S. may conflict with national interests by raising domestic gas prices and increasing emissions.

The document examines the role of urban informality—including unplanned settlements, unregistered economic activities, and unrecognized governance—in the context of rapid urbanization and climate change in southern Africa. It argues that while informality is often invisible or politically challenging, it provides critical services and livelihoods where formal systems fail. The brief recommends that city governments use 'bridging organizations' (such as NGOs and academic institutions) to mediate between formal and informal systems, create inclusive participatory spaces for innovative governance, and address the inequitable distribution of burdens and benefits associated with informal activities. Case studies from Cape Town, Malawi, Harare, and South African waste pickers illustrate how community-led responses and innovative finance can build resilience.

The EPA has launched Phase 2 of the Climate Pollution Reduction Grants (CPRG) program, offering $4.3 billion in a general competition and $300 million for tribes and territories to implement Priority Climate Action Plans (PCAP). Eligible projects must focus on greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction across sectors such as electric power, transportation, and industry, with a strict application deadline of April 1, 2024. The document advises states and municipalities to proactively coordinate and engage underserved communities to maximize funding opportunities within the tight timeframe.

CIEL condemns the use of force against peaceful protesters in Panama who are opposing metallic mining and a copper mine concession. The organization calls for the protection of human rights and the full implementation of the Escazú Agreement's guarantees for environmental information, participation, and justice. Additionally, CIEL recommends postponing public forums for the Fourth Electric Transmission Line project due to ongoing public disorder.

GreenLatinos identified 308 projects totaling over $3 billion in investments from 23 programs across five federal agencies in California, Colorado, Florida, New York, and Texas. The analysis finds that IIJA funds are reaching Latine communities at the state level, with specific instances of investment at city, county, and regional-ecosystem levels. Additionally, some Latine-led and Latine-serving universities, community groups, and nonprofits have received funding to build capacity for environmental stewardship and addressing environmental injustices, although these investments are smaller in ratio compared to general infrastructure investments.

Based on an April 2023 survey of 1,011 U.S. adults, the report finds that while 65% of Americans have not heard of climate justice, 53% support it after reading a description. Support and willingness to vote for climate justice candidates are highest among Black and Hispanic/Latino adults, who also exhibit the largest gaps between prior awareness and subsequent support.

The report finds that while a majority of Americans (65%) are unfamiliar with the term 'climate justice', over half (53%) support its goals after receiving a brief description. Support is highest among Black (70%) and Hispanic/Latino (66%) adults, who also show the largest gaps between prior awareness and subsequent support. Additionally, 43% of U.S. adults would be more likely to vote for a candidate supporting climate justice, with the strongest likelihood found among Black (62%), urban-dwelling (53%), and Hispanic/Latino (51%) respondents. The authors conclude that there is a significant opportunity to expand the national support base through targeted education and communication, particularly for marginalized groups who are most affected by climate change.

The report examines Community Benefits Agreements (CBAs) as legally binding contracts between developers and communities to ensure equitable outcomes in energy transitions. Through nine case studies and an analysis of DOE, DOT, and EPA guidelines, it identifies critical failure points—such as lack of representative stakeholders and poor enforceability—and proposes best practices for planning, negotiation, and monitoring to better align project development with community needs.

The report examines the DOE's Community Benefits Plan (CBP) process, which requires grant applicants to commit to equitable community and workforce strategies. While the CBP is credited with forcing developers to prioritize equity and job quality, the report identifies significant challenges, including limited DOE capacity, rushed timelines, and growing stakeholder fatigue. Community surveys reveal deep skepticism due to unfulfilled past promises and a preference for environmental quality improvements over clean energy funding. The report recommends that the DOE improve accountability, provide seed funding for commitments, and leverage other federal agencies to support under-resourced community groups.