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Friends of the Earth International calls for an ambitious, legally binding global plastics treaty that covers the full lifecycle of plastics. The statement highlights the link between plastics and fossil fuel interests, the injustice of waste colonialism where rich nations export plastic waste to the Global South, and the need for production limits. It provides examples of grassroots resistance to petrochemical expansion in the US, waste reduction efforts in El Salvador, legal challenges to industry influence in Canada, and the essential role of informal waste pickers in Argentina.

Friends of the Earth International advocates for a comprehensive global plastics treaty that targets the full life cycle of plastics. The statement highlights the link between plastics and the fossil fuel industry, the issue of 'waste colonialism' where rich nations export plastic waste to the Global South, and the need to include production limits. It provides examples of grassroots resistance to petrochemical expansion in the US, waste reduction efforts in El Salvador, legal battles against industry influence in Canada, and the essential role of waste pickers in Argentina.

The document argues that climate change is a critical electoral issue in the 2024 US elections and urges journalists to move beyond 'red-blue' political binaries to report on the scientific consensus and local impacts. It provides specific questioning frameworks for candidates, methods for debunking common climate myths, and suggestions for localizing climate stories across sectors like infrastructure, housing, and energy. The guide emphasizes that reporting on the climate crisis is a matter of professional journalism rather than activism, citing the role of the press in holding power accountable during historical crises.

The EPA is reviewing a petition from Earthjustice and community groups regarding the use of Significant Impact Levels (SILs) for ozone and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in Louisiana and Texas. While the EPA has rejected the Title VI administrative discrimination portion of the petition due to ongoing litigation, it is conducting a broader national evaluation of SIL guidance through an internal workgroup convened in September 2023, with results expected by the end of 2024. In Louisiana, the EPA is monitoring the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality's (LDEQ) progress in addressing modeled National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) violations. LDEQ has identified 15 PSD permit actions since 2018 with predicted exceedances and is conducting case-by-case reviews to determine if these are indicative of actual violations or results of conservative modeling assumptions.

The document advises journalists to treat climate change as a factual urgency rather than a partisan debate, urging them to proactively question candidates on specific plans for emissions reduction and infrastructure resilience. It highlights a disconnect between political discourse and public sentiment, noting that 62% of registered US voters prefer candidates who support climate action. The guide also provides a framework for debunking common climate myths and suggests local reporting angles such as the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act, green job programs, and climate-driven insurance rate increases.

The Green Bond Dataset (GBD) methodology establishes a science-based framework for screening self-labelled green debt instruments. To be included in the 'Aligned' list, a debt instrument must be self-labelled, have adequate public disclosure, and allocate 100% of net proceeds to green assets, with at least 90% meeting specific eligibility criteria. The methodology employs a three-step screening process: identification and pre-requisite checks, screening of green credentials against sector-specific definitions, and evaluation of the use of proceeds (UoP) threshold. Absolute exclusions apply to fossil fuel exploration, production, refining, and fossil fuel-based heat, cool, and electricity generation, regardless of the percentage of proceeds. The GBD allows for a 'margin of flexibility' of up to 10% for assets where alignment is uncertain or metrics are unavailable, and utilizes a two-year lookback period for complex expenditure assessments. While external reviews are recommended, they are not mandatory for GBD inclusion if equivalent information is disclosed. The document also distinguishes the GBD from the Climate Bonds Standard Certification scheme, noting that GBD inclusion is based on post-issuance screening of public data, whereas Certification is a voluntary pre-issuance application process.

The document examines the integration of clean electrolytic hydrogen into the U.S. electric system, emphasizing its potential as long-duration energy storage for 'last mile' decarbonization. It analyzes how the design of the Section 45V tax credit—specifically the 'three pillars' of incrementality, temporal matching, and deliverability—will determine whether hydrogen production increases net greenhouse gas emissions or supports grid reliability. The authors warn that without these pillars, electrolysis could drive significant load growth (up to 32% by 2032) and potentially increase emissions. The brief also highlights risks related to NOx emissions, water consumption, and public safety, urging developers to engage early with host communities to ensure an equitable transition.

The report analyzes the US Department of Energy's Energy Infrastructure Reinvestment (EIR) program, which provides low-cost loans to repurpose energy infrastructure. It demonstrates that using EIR to refinance remaining coal plant balances and fund new clean energy assets can significantly reduce costs for ratepayers. Case studies of Alliant in Iowa and Ameren in Missouri show potential net present value (NPV) savings of $124 million and $413 million, respectively, compared to traditional utility financing. The report emphasizes the urgency for utilities to apply before the September 2026 approval deadline.

The policy brief advocates for 'clean repowering'—the strategy of siting new renewable energy projects at existing or retiring fossil fuel plant interconnection points—to reduce interconnection times from nearly five years to less than one year. RMI's analysis indicates this approach could enable 250 GW of new renewable energy without transmission upgrades, resulting in average national savings of $12.7 billion annually from 2025 to 2035. The brief highlights the role of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) and the Energy Infrastructure Reinvestment (EIR) program in making these projects financially viable and provides specific recommendations for regulators to ensure these savings reach customers through integrated resource planning and oversight.

The oil and gas industry is pursuing a "petrochemical boom" to offset losses from the clean energy transition, focusing build-outs in the U.S. Gulf Coast and Appalachian regions. This expansion threatens to lock in fossil fuel demand, increase carbon emissions, and exacerbate environmental racism in low-income and minority communities. Earthjustice is actively fighting these projects, such as the Formosa Plastics complex in Louisiana, through legal challenges and policy advocacy to reduce plastic production and pollution.

In 2023, the contiguous U.S. experienced its 5th-hottest year on record, with an annual average temperature 2.4°F above the 20th century average. The year saw a record 28 billion-dollar disasters, resulting in an estimated 492 lives lost and over $93 billion in damages. Severe storms were the primary driver, accounting for 68% of these events. The frequency of such disasters has increased significantly, with the average time between events dropping to 12 days in 2023, compared to 82 days in the 1980s.

The document positions cities as central actors in the global movement to end fossil fuel dependence, noting that while they are major emitters, they can lead through 'city diplomacy' and local policy. It outlines 21 key recommendations divided into two main categories: enhancing city diplomacy and removing the 'social licence' of the fossil fuel industry, and implementing sectoral decarbonisation in transportation, energy, the built environment, and waste management. The brief emphasizes that urban action must be coupled with national-level pressure to ensure a just transition for workers and marginalized communities.

This summary report details the outcomes of the High-Level Think Tank Seminar on Energy and Climate Change held in Beijing on April 25-26, 2024. The event brought together representatives from China and the United States to discuss decarbonization strategies, methane reduction, energy efficiency, carbon capture, and climate finance, while coordinating positions for COP29 and COP30.

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.

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.

The document combines findings from community surveys in New Jersey, Louisiana, and the Navajo Nation with stakeholder interviews to evaluate the Community Benefits Plan (CBP) required for most U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) funding. While the CBP is seen as a tool to improve worker and community outcomes, survey data reveals deep skepticism due to unfulfilled past promises and a preference for environmental quality improvements over clean energy expansion. Implementation challenges include limited DOE capacity, stakeholder fatigue, and a need for greater accountability and resources for under-resourced community groups.

The report details survey results from the Ironbound Community (New Jersey), Navajo Nation Chapters (New Mexico, Arizona, Utah), and St. James and St. John the Baptist Parishes (Louisiana). It finds widespread skepticism toward developers due to unfulfilled past promises and low initial awareness of CBPs. While support for CBPs increased after residents were informed of potential benefits, priorities varied: environmental quality (water and air) and affordable housing were highly valued, while specific clean energy funding like EV charging stations ranked lower. Residents strongly emphasized the need for transparent, accessible engagement and the inclusion of small business owners and environmental groups in negotiations.

The Clean Air Task Force (CATF) provides a framework for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and selected Regional Clean Hydrogen Hubs to transition from application to action. CATF emphasizes prioritizing hydrogen for hard-to-abate sectors, ensuring transparency in project planning, coordinating funding across federal programs, and deepening community engagement to ensure equitable and climate-beneficial outcomes.

The document reports that the average person in the U.S. breathed more harmful wildfire smoke in 2023 than in any year since 2006, driven largely by record-shattering wildfires in Canada. It details how fine particle pollution (PM2.5) from these fires travels thousands of miles, affecting every county in the contiguous U.S. and stalling air quality improvements in 30 states. The text links these trends to a warming climate and increasing 'fire weather,' noting that human-caused climate change accounts for at least two-thirds of the rapid increase in fire weather in the western U.S.

The report details how private equity firms utilize institutional capital to invest in companies providing healthcare, labor, food, electronic monitoring, telecommunications, and construction services for the U.S. detention and surveillance industry. It argues that these investments often lead to substandard care, exploitative wages, and inflated costs for captive audiences, disproportionately affecting working-class, Black, indigenous, and immigrant communities.