Chronic power outages, food disruptions and climate-related disasters have become commonplace across the Caribbean. But amidst these challenges, there’s room for optimism. Increased funding, growing awareness, supportive policies and community leadership offer an opportunity for rebuilding and strengthening resilience in the Caribbean and small island developing states, or SIDS, around the world.
Blog update: Last summer, Illinois advocates filed a citizen petition with the state’s Pollution Control Board to urge the Pritzker administration to adopt the Advanced Clean Trucks rule along with other tailpipe-pollution reduction programs. The final hearing on the clean trucks standards will be March 10-12, 2025, in Springfield. Because of the calendar year change, the model year the standards would take effect has also changed. We have updated the model year in the post below to reflect the standard being adopted in 2025.
Misinformation about zero-emission vehicles and confusion around federal Environmental Protection Agency standards versus those states can adopt under the Clean Air Act waiver has left many manufacturers, small businesses and fleet managers wondering what market-based policies like the Advanced Clean Trucks rule could mean for their operations and bottom line.
Image courtesy of ftg
By Neda Deylami. This blog was co-authored by José Acosta-Córdova, Senior Transportation Policy Analyst at LVEJO
Transportation accounts for almost one-third of Illinois’ greenhouse gas emissions — the sector responsible for the most GHG emissions in the state. Medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, such as delivery vans, transit buses and large tractor-trailers are a disproportionate contributor of these emissions, but also other emissions like nitrogen oxide and particulate matter that directly harm the health of Illinoisans. Despite making up less than 10% of on-road vehicles, these trucks and buses are responsible for 67% of NOx and 59% of PM.
By Lindsay Shigetomi and Kae Tuitt
This week, EDF witnessed the hardworking spirit of the fleet industry at the NAFA Fleet Management Association’s Institute and Expo, where thousands of fleet professionals from all over the country gathered in San Antonio, Texas to learn, share and gain new insights into fleet operations. We saw a level of engagement from fleets and other attendees that showed how the fleet industry is evolving. Fleets are now taking on the additional responsibility as stewards of sustainability projects, which was reflected in the event programming — more than a quarter of the 40-plus educational sessions were focused on sustainability, zero-emission vehicles and electrification.
By Kae Tuitt
As more and more companies transition to zero-emission medium- and heavy-duty electric vehicles, it is increasingly clear that the future is electric. Still, some fleet owners coordinating receipt of new electric trucks and buses may face challenges with delays arising from the potentially lengthy and opaque interconnection process of getting EV chargers connected to the grid. Interconnection delays can make it difficult to adhere to project schedules and put projects at risk.
Fleets can help address these challenges by encouraging states and utilities to adopt policy and technical solutions for overcoming interconnection delays. Currently available options include hybrid interconnection, flexible interconnection and ramped connection. Fleets don’t have to let grid connection delays slow down project timelines — by urging utilities to implement these strategies, they can avoid unnecessary delays and alleviate risks associated with EV deployment and investments.
By Anna Lóránt
The EU is striving to become the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. As one of the fastest warming continents in the world, with climate risks threatening its energy and food security, ecosystems, infrastructure, water resources, financial stability and people’s health (EEA, 2024), ambitious climate action is a necessity.
