Climate Change Solutions – November 28, 2023

Women and girls are disproportionately burdened by the climate crisis, which impacts issues like sexual and reproductive health, gender-based violence, and child marriage. COP28 provides an important opportunity for discussion of these gender equality issues. [click for more]

[9 min read]

On-bill financing programs such as OPALCO’s Switch it Up! program help households overcome the upfront costs of heat pump installation. Renters and owners looking to install highly efficient heat pumps may find recent federal programs to be a useful resource. [click for more]

In California, the transportation sector accounts for more than half of the state’s greenhouse gas emissions. The Communities in Charge program allows for increased access to EV chargers throughout the state. Places of worship, healthcare facilities, municipal government buildings, and multi-family housing are prioritized for EV charger installation. [click for more]

Season six of The Climate Conversation wraps up with hosts Daniel Bresette and Aaron Facundo speaking with Evlondo Cooper, a senior writer at Media Matters for America, a nonprofit media watchdog group. Cooper discusses how the media has covered climate change in recent years. [click for more]

Protecting Against Climate Disasters: Sen. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) and Rep. Nydia Velazquez (D-N.Y.) led the reintroduction the Climate Displaced Persons Act (S.3340/H.R.6455). This bill would establish new protections for people displaced by climate disasters abroad, such as immigration pathways to the United States.

Trucks Go Green: Sen. Gary Peters (D-Mich.) and Sen. Pete Ricketts (R-Neb.) introduced the Supporting Trucking Efficiency and Emission Reductions (STEER) Act (S.3315). The bipartisan bill establishes a voucher program to make emissions reduction technologies for Class 8 (very large) trucks more accessible and affordable. EESI’s related fact sheet discusses the benefits and feasibility of semi-truck fleet electrification.

Reducing Emissions From Building Materials: The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works concluded a hearing on the climate and economic benefits of industrial decarbonization, as well as opportunities to grow the sector. The industrial sector, including building material production, is responsible for more than 20 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. EESI’s article, Achieving Sustainability in the Built Environment, Brick by Brick, explores ways to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from building materials.

We track all environmental, energy, and climate legislation and hearings happening on Capitol Hill. See the full legislative trackers for November 13-17 and November 20-24.

EESI is tracking recent announcements and updates about the implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act.

Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA)

The Department of Energy (DOE) announced $3.5 billion in funding for the domestic battery production supply chain, including critical minerals, precursor materials, and battery components.
DOE also announced the 16 recipients of $444 million in funding for carbon dioxide storage infrastructure.
The U.S. Department of the Interior (DOI) announced over $140 million in grant funding from the America the Beautiful Challenge, which will be allocated to landscape-scale conservation efforts.

Inflation Reduction Act (IRA)

The Environmental Protection Agency announced $2 billion in Community Change Grants to invest in environmental justice projects that help communities mitigate and adapt to climate and environmental challenges.
DOE announced $169 million in funding for electric heat pump manufacturing projects, using the Defense Production Act to jumpstart domestic production.
DOI announced $64 million in funding to conserve water resources in the Colorado River system, building upon seven new conservation agreements.

The Science Behind Carbon Markets

Sunday, December 3
6am – 7:30am EST; 3pm – 4:30pm GST
COP28, Expo City Dubai, Blue Zone, SE Room 4
Watch online on the U.N. Climate Change – Events YouTube channel

EESI, American Forest Foundation, American Forests, and Woodwell Climate Research Center will host this COP28 side event moderated by EESI President Daniel Bresette. The event will explore the science behind carbon markets, which are drawing growing interest as a tool to increase investment in natural climate solutions, and consider steps to increase confidence in this sector. RSVP here.

Unpacking the Fifth National Climate Assessment

Thursday, January 18
3:00pm – 4:30pm
Rayburn House Office Building 2168 (Gold Room) and online.

EESI’s first briefing of 2024 will cover the U.S. Global Change Research Program’s Fifth National Climate Assessment (NCA5). NCA5 is the most comprehensive, holistic, and inclusive report to date on national climate risk and response. Panelists will discuss the report’s emphasis on the need for “rapid and deep” greenhouse gas emission reductions and explore how members of Congress can use this report to understand the nuances of climate impacts and solutions in their districts and states, leveraging its takeaways to inform decision-making at the national level. RSVP here.

Latest Media Coverage

Yahoo News 360 cited EESI’s issue brief on commercial aviation emissions in a piece about whether consumers should avoid traveling by plane.
Earthjustice mentioned EESI’s role in helping to develop Alaska Heat Smart, a public-private partnership that promotes heat pump adoption and other energy efficiency measures, in an article about the growing popularity of electric heat pumps in Juneau.

Climate Change Solutions – November 28, 2023 | Newsletter

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