Climate 411

States in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative take an important step forward — and there’s room to go further

By Peter Della-Rocca and Pam Kiely / Published: July 16, 2025

On July 1, the ten states participating in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) concluded their Third Program Review and announced updates that strengthen the regional cap on climate pollution, beginning in 2027. These changes also introduce new measures to protect energy affordability and reaffirm the program’s commitment to cutting pollution, promoting clean energy and supporting local communities. 

As Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) analysis shows, the case for program improvements is well supported — delivering clean electricity and critical climate and health benefits while ensuring consumer affordability. And there’s still room to do even more.

Read More »

Also posted in Carbon Markets, Cities and states, Greenhouse Gas Emissions / Authors: , / Leave a comment

The Science Is Clear on the Dangers of Planet-Heating Pollution

By Lisa Dilling / Published: July 11, 2025

This post was co-authored by EDF Climate Scientist Fiona Lo

The Trump EPA is now reconsidering, and reportedly intends to reverse, the Endangerment Finding – the science-based determination that climate pollution harms public health and welfare. That’s in spite of mountains of scientific evidence confirming that climate pollution is driving extreme weather events and putting people at risk.

The scientific evidence was clear that climate pollution endangers public health and welfare when EPA issued the Endangerment Finding in 2009 – but it is even clearer now:

Read More »

Also posted in Basic Science of Global Warming, Clean Air Act, Extreme Weather, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Policy, Science, Setting the Facts Straight / Authors: / Leave a comment

President Trump’s new tax law undermines clean energy when the U.S. needs it most

By EDF Blogs / Published: July 4, 2025

(This post was written by EDF Vice President for Political and Government Affairs Joanna Slaney)

President Trump just signed a deeply unpopular law passed by congressional Republicans — one that could thwart unprecedented American progress on clean energy and transportation. 

New polling shows that 67% of voters oppose the bill when they learn what’s in it. But the law puts the U.S. on a more expensive, more dangerous, and more harmful path, threatening $980 billion in gross domestic product and taking away 900,000 good-paying jobs in energy and manufacturing alone. Sean McGarvey, president of North America’s Building Trades Unions,  said, “This stands to be the biggest job-killing bill in the history of this country.”  Read More »

Also posted in Cars and Pollution, Energy / Authors: / Comments are closed

As New York continues to await cap-and-invest program, studies show just how impactful these programs can be

By Caroline Jones and Alex DeGolia / Published: July 1, 2025

New York just experienced a brutal heatwave, with several cities experiencing the hottest days ever recorded, underscoring the urgent need to address the climate crisis. 

As temperatures heat up, so do energy prices as New Yorkers continue to struggle with higher cost of living and economic uncertainty. To make matters worse, across the country polluters and their political allies are working to stall progress and roll back the clock on climate action. In the face of those attacks, states must be the firewall. 

New York has the chance to lead by example — tackling climate change while reducing costs for many New Yorkers and spurring economic growth — through the adoption of a bold, economy-wide cap-and-invest program. 

Read More »

Posted in News / Authors: , / Comments are closed

Bonn 2025: Charting the Path to COP30 and Enhanced Climate Action

By Sarah Swain and Zach Cohen / Published: June 12, 2025

2025 June Climate Meetings. UNFCCC/ Amira Grotendiek

Next week, the international climate community will convene in Bonn for the 62nd session of the UNFCCC Subsidiary Bodies (June 16-26, 2025), or SB62. SB62 marks a critical milestone on the road to COP30 in Belém, Brazil, shaping the preparation and setting the stage for the negotiations.  

The meetings in Bonn will be guided by a central principle set by COP30 Presidency: the idea of “global mutirão,” the power of collective action to achieve goals no single actor can accomplish alone. Brazil has launched this initiative to identify common ground across regions and sectors, finding areas of convergence that can drive ambitious climate action forward. The Presidency has underscored the urgent need for this collaborative approach, particularly at SB62, to rebuild the multilateral trust strained during COP29 and by widening geopolitical rifts.  

Answering the global call for climate action, the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) is putting the spirit of “mutirão” into practice. At its core, EDF’s “mutirão” is already in our DNA. We play a unique role working with partners and allies across society – from local communities, major companies, Indigenous Peoples, governments and more – to find the shared goals that lead to groundbreaking solutions. Embracing collaboration and partnership has led us to impactful wins for planet and people: from supporting Indigenous Peoples’ participation in UN spaces to conserve forests, to gathering national oil companies together under an ambitious goal to slash methane emissions. Our commitment to this inclusive approach is essential for rebuilding the global trust needed for swift, fair, and ambitious climate action that delivers.  

Here are the thematic issues and topics EDF will be actively engaged in during SB62:

Read More »

Also posted in Agriculture, Brazil, Climate Finance, Indigenous People, International, Oceans, Paris Agreement, United Nations / Tagged , , , , | Authors: , / Comments are closed

Cap-and-invest program continues to drive down climate pollution and raise investments in Washington state

By Caroline Jones / Published: June 11, 2025

Results were released today for Washington’s second cap-and-invest auction of the year, administered last Wednesday by the Department of Ecology (Ecology). During the auction, participating entities submitted their bids for allowances. Under the Climate Commitment Act — Washington’s landmark climate law that sets a binding, declining limit on pollution — major emitters in Washington are required to hold one allowance for every ton of greenhouse gas they emit, with the total number of allowances decreasing each year. This system requires Washington’s polluters to reduce their emissions in line with the state’s climate targets, as fewer allowances become available annually.

Read More »

Also posted in Carbon Markets, Cities and states, Economics, Energy, Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Policy / Authors: / Comments are closed