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A student shares a five-step framework for introducing plant-based meals into school cafeterias, detailing the process of contacting nutrition services, proposing changes, marketing new items, educating peers, and planning for long-term sustainability.

RMI's analysis of historical data reveals that the US federal government grossly underfunds the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), with funding needing to increase 10 to 20 times above 2021 levels to cover all eligible families. Significant gaps in service exist, particularly in California and Texas, driven by both funding shortages and barriers to access such as lack of awareness and complex application procedures. While recent legislation like the Inflation Reduction Act provides targeted funds for weatherization and efficiency, RMI argues for a comprehensive approach that centers community-based organizations to resolve underlying energy justice issues.

The policy brief examines the impact of high-severity wildfires on the U.S. forest carbon sink, noting that forests in several Western states have become net carbon emitters. It advocates for scaling up 'fuel load treatments'—such as prescribed burns and mechanical removal of biomass—to mitigate wildfire risk and suggests developing markets for thinned biomass (e.g., biochar, green hydrogen) to fund these efforts and reduce emissions. The brief calls for federal policy support via the 2023 Farm Bill to increase research, support rural and Tribal communities, and incentivize innovative wood products.

The statement advocates for rigorous light-duty vehicle (LDV) standards and electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure investment to address the disproportionate exposure of Latino/a/x communities to vehicle pollutants. It highlights that transportation is the largest source of pollution fueling the US climate crisis and notes significant health disparities, such as higher asthma rates among Hispanic children and increased fine particulate matter exposure in California and the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic regions. The document supports the February 2022 "Revised 2023 and Later Model Year Light-Duty Vehicle Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards" as a critical step toward a clean transportation future.

The report analyzes the growing U.S. electric school bus (ESB) market, noting that as of March 2022, 415 districts had committed to 12,275 ESBs. It details the benefits of ESBs, including zero tailpipe emissions and lower operational costs, while outlining the technical requirements for charging infrastructure and the variety of available vehicle types (Type A, C, and D). The guide also explores funding mechanisms, such as the $5 billion Clean School Bus Program, and provides a roadmap for fleet electrification.

The report details a corporate campaign to implement municipal preemption laws that block local governments from accessing courts to recover climate-related damages. It identifies a 'triumvirate' of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, ALEC, and NAM as the primary architects of this strategy, drawing parallels to previous industry efforts to avoid liability in the tobacco and opioid sectors. The document outlines specific legislative tactics used to stifle litigation and provides a framework for municipal leaders to recognize and repeal such preemption laws, while suggesting proactive legislative measures to protect local legal autonomy.

Climate Central analysis reveals that 83% of 241 analyzed U.S. cities saw an increase in summer stagnant days between 1973 and 2021, with a strong positive correlation between these events and rising summer high temperatures. Annual stagnation has also increased in 81% of these cities, with hotspots in Southern Texas and coastal California. These trends are expected to worsen with climate change, potentially adding up to 40 more stagnant days per year by late-century, which traps pollutants and disproportionately affects communities of color due to historical housing policies.

The report argues that traditional US public utilities commission (PUC) processes are too slow and restrictive to meet urgent decarbonization and equity mandates. It recommends four primary reforms: setting clear proceeding objectives, expanding stakeholder roles in solution development, reducing information asymmetry by unlocking utility data, and initiating new inclusive processes such as regulatory sandboxes and updated benefit-cost analysis frameworks.

An executive summary by the Union of Concerned Scientists finding that the average new battery electric vehicle in the US produces over 50% less lifetime global warming pollution than comparable internal combustion engine vehicles. While EV manufacturing is more carbon-intensive due to battery production, the operational emissions savings quickly offset this 'debt,' with a mean breakeven point of 21,300 miles for cars. The report advocates for cleaner electricity grids, battery recycling, and increased EV accessibility to accelerate climate benefits.

The Union of Concerned Scientists finds that electric vehicles (EVs) in the United States produce significantly lower lifetime global warming emissions than gasoline vehicles, with the average EV reducing total lifetime emissions by 52% for sedans and 57% for pickup trucks. While EV manufacturing is more carbon-intensive due to battery production, the operational savings quickly offset this 'debt,' with breakeven points occurring between 17,500 and 21,300 miles. The report emphasizes that the emissions benefit of EVs increases as the electricity grid decarbonizes and recommends policies to accelerate renewable energy deployment, improve battery circularity, and increase vehicle efficiency.

The British Columbia Low Carbon Fuel Standard has reduced annual transport emissions by an average of 6% from 2010 to 2020 and is projected to meet 31% of the province's 2030 reduction goals. The author proposes two main modifications: expanding the scope to include aviation and marine fuels—which are expected to represent 51% of transport emissions by 2050—and allowing compliance credits for direct air capture with permanent storage. To succeed, the document argues the province must address incentive gaps that currently favor renewable diesel over low-carbon jet fuels, account for indirect land-use change in carbon footprint calculations to support advanced biofuels, and expand the geographic eligibility of direct air capture projects beyond provincial borders to accelerate deployment and reduce costs.

British Columbia’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard reduced transportation emissions by an average of 6% annually from 2010 to 2020 and is projected to drive 31% of the province's 2030 reduction targets. The document proposes expanding the regulation to include jet and marine fuels, as well as direct air capture with permanent storage, to address hard-to-abate sectors and negative emissions. To maximize effectiveness, the author recommends closing the incentive gap that currently favors renewable diesel over low-carbon jet fuel, incorporating indirect land-use change (ILUC) into carbon footprint measurements to support advanced biofuels, and allowing direct air capture credits for projects located outside British Columbia to accelerate technology deployment.

The California Energy Policy Simulator (EPS) 3.3.1 update finds that current policy commitments will leave California's 2030 emissions nearly 20% above the SB 32 target. To address this, Energy Innovation proposes a 'Deeper Decarbonization Scenario' focusing on rapid electrification of vehicles, appliances, and industry, alongside a strengthened clean energy standard. This approach is projected to lower 2030 emissions to 230 MMT of CO2e and generate significant economic and public health benefits, including $60 billion in monetized social benefits by 2050, while reducing reliance on unproven carbon dioxide removal technologies.

The research utilizes a scalable decision support model to evaluate 64 combinations of policy interventions, including fees and water use restrictions, to address salinity pollution in the San Joaquin River. Findings indicate that while surface water restrictions increase salinity loads due to higher groundwater reliance, the implementation of fees for imported water and market-based pollution permits can help farmers maintain profitability and lower salinity levels.

The Clean Air Task Force (CATF) outlines four primary criteria for successful clean hydrogen hubs: minimizing greenhouse gas intensity across the production value chain, prioritizing hard-to-abate end-use sectors, committing to environmental justice and community engagement, and delivering immediate local environmental benefits. These recommendations are directed at the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) following the authorization of $8 billion under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 to establish at least four regional hubs.

The report analyzes the potential for U.S. coastal wetlands to either expand or almost entirely disappear by 2100 based on sea level rise rates, vertical accretion, and the conservation of land for horizontal migration. It identifies Louisiana, North Carolina, and Texas as high-risk areas and emphasizes that conserving undeveloped dryland (refugia) is a decisive factor in preventing widespread wetland loss.

The report analyzes the future of US coastal wetlands under various sea-level rise and development scenarios. It finds that wetlands can either expand by 25% or decrease by 97% by 2100, depending on human decisions regarding land conservation for migration and the rate of vertical growth. Louisiana, North Carolina, and Texas are identified as high-risk areas. The document emphasizes that preserving undeveloped land (refuges) is the most critical factor in preventing widespread wetland loss.

The policy brief advocates for the development of floating offshore wind on the U.S. West Coast to meet net-zero emissions goals, noting that it can provide reliable power during peak early evening demand and reduce land-use conflicts. It highlights the economic potential for job creation and port revitalization, specifically citing the Port of Humboldt Bay. The authors call for long-term federal tax credits, port infrastructure investment, proactive transmission planning, and accelerated siting to overcome current lacks in ambition compared to the East Coast.

The Institute for Economic Justice evaluates the draft South African Climate Change Bill against the 2022 IPCC WGII report. While the Bill aligns with IPCC definitions of adaptation and vulnerability and acknowledges the risks of extreme weather, the author finds it insufficient in several areas. Key gaps include the lack of a formal climate emergency declaration, missing definitions for 'resilience' and 'exposure', insufficient transparency and accountability mechanisms, and a lack of specific timeframes and responsible parties for implementation. The document argues that the Bill must better integrate socio-economic rights and traditional knowledge to effectively protect vulnerable groups, including women, youth, and rural communities.

The report argues that governments are reacting to the energy crisis by prioritizing short-term fossil fuel security over long-term decarbonization, risking a 'gold rush' for new gas infrastructure and domestic production. While some progress in renewables and green hydrogen is noted, the authors highlight a prevalence of 'bad practices' such as fossil fuel subsidies, tax cuts for petrol, and the expansion of LNG facilities. The document provides a framework of 'do's and don'ts', urging governments to instead focus on energy efficiency, electrification, behavioral changes, and the reinvestment of fossil fuel windfall profits into clean energy to avoid stranded assets and irreversible warming.