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The 2018 Automaker Rankings by the Union of Concerned Scientists finds that while average emissions from new vehicles have reached record lows, the pace of reduction is slowing due to a market shift toward SUVs and inconsistent investment in efficiency technologies. Honda is the top-performing full-line manufacturer, while Tesla leads overall with an all-electric fleet. The 'Detroit Three' (Ford, GM, and Fiat Chrysler) consistently underperform compared to the industry average. The report details the deployment of fuel-saving technologies—such as gasoline direct injection, cylinder deactivation, and electrification—and argues that strong federal standards are essential to prevent manufacturers from prioritizing performance over emissions reductions.

The document advocates for federal policy changes in the 2018 farm bill to scale up 'good food' procurement, which prioritizes healthy, local, and sustainably produced foods. It highlights the success of the Good Food Purchasing Program (GFPP) and identifies barriers for small farmers, such as lack of infrastructure and food safety certification costs. The brief recommends supporting the Local FARMS Act, the Food and Farm Act, and the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Opportunity Act to improve regional food systems, advance racial equity, and protect animal welfare.

The document examines how a warming atmosphere increases the frequency and intensity of extreme precipitation, contributing to higher inland flood risks in parts of the United States, particularly the Midwest and Northeast. It highlights that while climate change is a driver, land-use changes—such as development in floodplains and the removal of wetlands—significantly exacerbate flood risk. The report argues that current FEMA flood maps are inadequate because they rely on historical data rather than future projections. To mitigate these risks, the authors recommend reforming the National Flood Insurance Program, increasing funding for river gauge networks and flood mapping, and implementing nature-based infrastructure and stricter zoning regulations to discourage floodplain development.

The document outlines the development of 'climate attribution' science, which allows researchers to quantify the role of human-caused climate change in extreme weather. It identifies that evidence is strongest for heat waves, coastal flooding, and extreme precipitation, while remaining less conclusive for tornadoes and thunderstorms. The text provides specific examples of US events, such as Hurricane Harvey and the February 2017 heat wave, where climate change significantly increased likelihood or intensity.

The report warns that sea level rise puts hundreds of thousands of US coastal properties at risk of chronic inundation, potentially leading to a collapse in real estate values and a significant erosion of local tax bases. Using a high sea level rise scenario, the analysis projects that by 2100, nearly 2.5 million properties valued at $1.07 trillion today will be at risk. The authors argue that current financial markets and government policies mask these risks, creating a 'narrowing window of opportunity' for communities to adapt. The report highlights particular vulnerabilities for low-income populations, the elderly, and specific states like Florida and New Jersey, while advocating for updated flood maps, transparent risk disclosure, and a shift away from subsidized insurance and disaster aid that encourages rebuilding in high-risk areas.

The document examines the 'jurisdictional approach' (JA)—a comprehensive, government-led strategy for forest and land-use governance across defined political territories. It argues that subnational jurisdictions (states, provinces, districts) are critical for scaling emissions reductions because they are closer to land users and possess the authority to shape land-use decisions. Through case studies in Brazil, Indonesia, Malaysia, Peru, and Mexico, the paper highlights that while JA fosters multi-stakeholder collaboration and policy innovation, it is frequently hampered by political turnover, limited public sector capacity, and a lack of tangible financial incentives. The authors conclude that JA is not a 'silver bullet' but a necessary recognition of the role of multi-level government in protecting forests and enhancing livelihoods.

Mighty Earth warns that Canada's proposed Clean Fuel Standard (CFS) fails to include robust accounting for indirect land-use change (ILUC), which could lead to ecosystem destruction and increased greenhouse gas emissions, mirroring failures of the U.S. Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). The author urges the Canadian government to adopt ILUC values, potentially using California's Low-Carbon Fuel Standard as a placeholder, to ensure the policy promotes truly sustainable biofuels rather than food-based fuels that drive cropland expansion.

The document provides a toolkit for scientists to use public events, such as town halls, to influence policymakers. It recommends preparing concise, concrete, and compelling questions, positioning oneself as a technical resource to staff, and following up through thank-you notes or local media to maintain pressure and build connections.

The Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment and a coalition of organizations argue that voluntary measures to reduce lead exposure are insufficient. They cite scientific evidence that no safe level of lead exposure exists, particularly for children and Indigenous communities who rely on traditional hunting and fishing. The statement calls for a phased ban on lead ammunition and fishing tackle, a revision of Health Canada's blood lead intervention thresholds, and financial support for Indigenous communities transitioning to non-toxic alternatives.

The Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment and a coalition of organizations argue that voluntary measures to reduce lead in ammunition and fishing gear are ineffective. They cite scientific evidence that no safe level of lead exposure exists, posing severe risks to children and wildlife. The document highlights the particular vulnerability of Indigenous communities in Nunavik and James Bay and urges the government to phase out lead products, update Health Canada's blood lead guidelines, and provide financial assistance for Indigenous communities to transition to non-lead alternatives.

The document outlines four key insights from successful NZE home builders in the US: the economic viability of NZE homes through integrated design, the need to shift customer communication toward comfort and income rather than technical science, the potential for prefabricated construction to mitigate labor shortages, and the reduced market risk associated with offering a highly differentiated, high-efficiency product.

The report 'A Crack in the Shell' by the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL) uses internal documents to demonstrate that Royal Dutch Shell had early and urgent notice of climate risks associated with fossil fuels. It highlights a dichotomy between Shell's internal scientific understanding—which acknowledged the link between CO2 and global warming as early as the 1950s and 60s—and its public efforts to sow doubt through industry groups like the Global Climate Coalition and the American Petroleum Institute. The document further argues that Shell continues this pattern by promoting the 'Sky Scenario' to appear aligned with the Paris Agreement while continuing to invest in fossil fuel expansion, including in the Arctic.

The guidance note outlines the processes for evaluating the climate impact of water infrastructure bonds. It details a Mitigation Assessment to quantify greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reductions against baselines and an Adaptation & Resilience Assessment based on a binary scorecard. The latter evaluates an issuer's Vulnerability Assessment and Adaptation Plan across four key areas: water allocation, governance, diagnostic technical assessments (including hydrologic modeling), and the robustness of adaptation strategies. The document emphasizes the use of science-based methodologies, such as the WRI/WBCSD GHG Protocol and IPCC climate projections, and provides extensive examples from the San Francisco Public Utilities Commission to illustrate compliance.

The briefing advocates for shifting or supplementing production-based carbon pricing with consumption-based models to eliminate the need for free allowances and exemptions that mute price signals. It highlights that pricing at the point of final consumption can prevent carbon leakage in basic materials like steel and cement, incorporate emissions from imports, and provide sub-national governments with jurisdictional autonomy. The text proposes an evolutionary implementation path, starting with undifferentiated sector benchmarks and moving toward full life-cycle carbon accounting.

The document examines the production and use of renewable natural gas (RNG) as a climate strategy in the United States, focusing on its potential to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions when derived from organic waste. It identifies that RNG is most effective when produced from waste rather than dedicated land and when it results in net methane emissions reductions. The paper highlights promising feedstocks such as food and yard waste diverted from landfills and livestock manure. While RNG production costs are higher than conventional natural gas, the report notes that economic viability is supported by low-carbon fuel standards and federal incentives. However, it warns that RNG can increase net methane emissions if it comprises 'new methane'—methane that would not have otherwise entered the atmosphere—due to supply chain leakage. The authors call for more data on methane leakage and life-cycle carbon intensities to better integrate RNG into long-term climate plans.

The report highlights the economic and environmental advantages of transitioning transportation network company (TNC) drivers to electric vehicles. It demonstrates that high-mileage drivers can achieve significant annual savings in fuel and maintenance, which eventually offset the higher initial purchase price of EVs. Using Austin, Texas, as a case study, the document details specific utility incentives and compares EV acquisition methods—purchasing, renting, and leasing—to guide TNC drivers toward electrification.

The document details a participatory approach to groundwater management in Yolo County, California, where stakeholders defined sustainability objectives and evaluated seven management strategies against uncertainties. The process identified that a 'business-as-usual' approach was unlikely to succeed, while a conjunctive use strategy involving winter recharge and storage ponds proved effective under various climate and regulatory scenarios.

The report details research and stakeholder discussions regarding the under-utilization of specialty crops in the US. It highlights significant in-field losses—such as 50% for fresh tomatoes and 36% on average for crops in North Carolina—driven by strict cosmetic standards and economic barriers. The document outlines four envisioned future states: implementing full-cost accounting for food, increasing ubiquitous access to healthy produce, integrating regional food systems with industrial agriculture, and removing food safety barriers to donation. It concludes with a practical example of 'concurrent harvesting' used by Imperfect Produce to create markets for 'seconds'.

The document advocates for a managed decline in global fossil fuel production to meet Paris Agreement goals, suggesting that supply-side policies complement demand-side efforts to reduce emissions and carbon lock-in. It proposes using NDCs, long-term strategies, and a global stocktake to track production phase-downs while ensuring a just transition for affected workers and economies.

The document analyzes the different approaches the U.S. and China take to overcome barriers to electric vehicle (EV) adoption, such as high upfront costs and limited charging infrastructure. While the U.S. relies on a mix of federal tax credits and varied state-level incentives, China has implemented more aggressive central government subsidies, a 'dual-credit policy' for manufacturers, and significant government fleet mandates. China's approach has led to faster growth in EV registrations and a larger network of charging outlets compared to the U.S.