Complete list of press releases

(MONTREAL – October 7, 2022) Today, the Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the United Nations aviation agency, passed a commitment to a sustainable future for global aviation by adopting long-term goal of 2050 net-zero emissions goal for international aviation. 

“With this long-term goal, we can have hope that there’s a bright future ahead for the aviation sector: one where we can all thrive in a stable climate and travel more sustainably, all while protecting ecosystems and supporting communities,” said Mark Brownstein, Senior Vice President of Energy Transition. “But the work isn’t over. Now is the time for countries to act by establishing policies that support achievement of a 2050 net zero goal for aviation with measurable progress in the interim, and enhancing transparency and cooperation all along the way.”  

The 2050 goal has major potential to influence national aviation and climate policies, accelerate the production of and transition to Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF), and encourage private investment.  

“The value of ICAO’s long-term goal is setting the pace for climate ambition and a reason for nations to start the work of collaboration that we need. Cooperation, such as through the International Aviation Climate Ambition Coalition and engagement with civil society, are critical to this effort,” said Suzi Kerr, Chief Economist at EDF. 

The Assembly also moved this week to amend the Carbon Offsetting and Reduction Scheme for International Aviation (CORSIA) baseline to 85% of emissions produced in 2019 and to fix the methodology for allocating obligations among air carriers. Initially launched in 2016, CORSIA compliant airlines originally aimed to cap emissions at 2020 levels. When air traffic and related emissions plummeted due to COVID-19, industry proposals to scale back the CORSIA baseline threatened  the already insufficient ambition of CORSIA. CORSIA is also crucial for delivering monitoring, reporting and verification of international aviation emissions at the global scale and for hosting ICAO’s sustainable aviation fuel framework. 

"While ICAO missed a great opportunity to deliver greater CORSIA ambition, the 85% of 2019 levels deal averted backsliding on ambition, an outcome that would have slashed CORSIA obligations for years.  In parallel, the changes to the methodology to allocate CORSIA obligations among air carriers paves the road for broader participation in CORSIA by addressing market distortions and equity issues,” said Pedro Piris-Cabezas, Director for Sustainable International Transport and Lead Senior Economist, Climate Program. “There's much room for improvement and greater ambition for CORSIA, but this is a solid outcome that still gives us room to take a step forward." 

(WASHINGTON – October 5, 2022) Today, U.S. Rep. Nanette Barragán and Sen. Alex Padilla introduced the Enforcing and Empowering Environmental Justice Act, which would establish the Office of Environmental Justice and a new Environmental Justice Section within the Environment and Natural Resource Division of the Department of Justice (DOJ).

“Everyone, regardless of their race or zip code, has a right to a healthy and safe environment. However, communities most harmed by pollution have been denied full and equitable access to the government’s protection for too long.  This bill seeks to right that wrong and helps deliver on the Biden administration’s promise to confront environmental injustice and inequity.

“The Enforcing and Empowering Environmental Justice Act codifies environmental justice into the DOJ's structure, adding much needed organizational capacity and preventing rollbacks by future administrations. The new EJ Office helps ensure that frontline communities are active participants in the DOJ’s environment-related efforts and facilitates coordination across federal agencies and state and local governments to address environmental justice challenges.

“Additionally, the new EJ section brings equity and EJ expertise into environmental legal matters and civil rights complaints. The introduction of this bill is a great step towards ensuring our agencies are working for and with the communities who are first and worst impacted by environmental injustices.

“This bill comes just days after the Environmental Protection Agency announced their new national Office of Environmental Justice and External Civil Rights, building toward a whole-of-government approach to address environmental injustice. We urge Congress to swiftly pass this important bill and continue the momentum toward a more equitable and just future for everyone.”

• Dr. Margot Brown, Vice President, Justice and Equity, Environmental Defense Fund

(SAN DIEGO, CA) Environmental Defense Fund released the Fleet Electrification Solutions Center today, a free online resource that cuts through the complexity of truck electrification to connect fleet professionals with the solutions they need, all in one easy-to-navigate clearinghouse.

“We are at a critical juncture in the climate crisis, and fleet electrification is a feasible solution that can begin to address this historic challenge while also reducing harmful pollution from diesel trucks in communities across America,” said Lindsay Shigetomi, Manager, Fleet Electrification at Environmental Defense Fund. “EDF is launching the Fleet Electrification Solution Center because we want to make sure fleet decision makers have all the tools they need to electrify their fleets – right at their fingertips. With the Solutions Center, we are making the electrification journey more manageable and easier to navigate.”                                                                              

Over 30 million trucks on U.S. roads generate 7% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions – more than aviation, maritime shipping and rail combined. Yet zero-emission trucks still only account for a small fraction of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles (such as freight trucks, semis, buses, garbage trucks and delivery vehicles). EDF worked with leading experts, industry professionals and current fleet leaders to identify barriers to fleet electrification and create a tool to overcome these barriers.

Designed to meet fleets wherever they are in their electrification journey, the FESC is organized into five phases, with each phase capturing best practices from fleets on the forefront of truck electrification. Fleets can follow the step-by-step process to develop a project management strategy; identify the appropriate charging equipment and work with utilities on an installation timeframe; define which vehicles are best for each application and launch new vehicle deployments, and much more. Users can create an account to track their progress, or simply search the extensive resource library for reports or case studies aimed at accelerating the electrification journey. 

"Running electric trucks takes diligent planning and skilled problem-solving,” said Taki Darakos, Vice President, Vehicle Maintenance and Fleet Services at Pitt Ohio. “The Solutions Center can help fleets navigate the complexities of fleet electrification. There is no other resource that distills as much information in such an accessible and comprehensive format.”

Medium- and heavy-duty diesel trucks are the largest contributors to ozone-forming nitrogen oxides in the transportation sector, despite making up only 4% of vehicles on U.S. roads. Smog-forming NOx and other fine particulate pollution from trucks has been linked to adverse health impacts in everyone from infants to the elderly, particularly in overburdened communities that live near major transit hubs and corridors.    

“Zero-emission vehicles are here, and in many cases are capable of doing the job of their diesel counterparts while cutting down on harmful emissions, reducing operational expenses for fleets and advancing environmental justice,” said Jessie Lund, lead project manager at CALSTART. “While other resources exist, many are inaccessible, and none are as comprehensive as the Solutions Center. This tool will help fleets, large and small, navigate everything from planning to implementation by providing a clear, easy-to-follow map on the road to electrification.”

The launch of the FESC comes at a pivotal moment in the electric truck transformation.

In August, President Biden signed the historic Inflation Reduction Act, which provides a multi-billion dollar investment in zero-emission trucks. Once these tax incentives are implemented, the purchase price for a wide range of zero-emission trucks will reach parity with diesel alternatives by as early as 2023, according to a recent EDF analysis. While policy supports make trucks more affordable, an ever expanding number of vehicle models are available today and hundreds of fleets are already deploying EVs. 

“There has never been a better time for fleets to take the next step on their electrification journey,” said Mike Roeth, Executive Director for the North American Council for Freight Efficiency. “There are high-quality, affordable zero-emission vans, trucks and heavy-duty tractors on the market today, and costs and efficiency are only going to keep improving. The Solutions Center will make it easier for fleets to navigate barriers to entry by bringing together the best tools and information in the industry in one place.”

(Washington, D.C. – September 30, 2022) Environmental Defense Fund and Sierra Club served a formal notice of intent on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency yesterday stating they will file a citizen suit against the agency under our nation’s clean air laws to protect people and communities from the dangerous pollution discharged by new gas-burning power plants. These facilities are a major source of nitrogen oxides — contaminants that contribute to deadly particles and smog — as well as climate-destabilizing pollution.

Under the Clean Air Act, EPA is required to review and revise new source performance standards — protections against pollution from new gas-burning power plants that must reflect the best system of emission reduction — every eight years. Despite its statutory responsibility, the agency has not updated its national emission standards for nitrogen oxides in over 16 years and last issued proposed standards for greenhouse gases in January 2014 and final standards in 2015. Meanwhile, new gas-burning power plants that do not reflect the best emission limits achievable are being built across the nation.

“Pollution from new gas plants adversely impacts community health and is fueling the climate crisis,” said EDF Lead Counsel Michael Panfil. “EPA’s outdated emission standards do not provide adequate safeguards against the extensive climate and air pollution discharged by new gas-burning power plants and must urgently be modernized. With people’s lives at stake, we can’t afford to waste any more time.”

“New gas-burning power plants represent a major threat to our families and communities, emitting pollution that keeps our children out of school due to asthma, increases our risk of harmful diseases, and drives the climate crisis,” said Sierra Club Senior Attorney Andres Restrepo. “For years, EPA has fallen short of its legal duty to update critical pollution standards for these sources. The agency must waste no time in rectifying this error by setting new and appropriately protective safeguards. Nothing less than our lives and our climate are at stake.”

EPA now has 60 days to respond to the notice before any lawsuit is filed.

(ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Sept. 29, 2022) — Yesterday, Hurricane Ian slammed into the Florida coast, packing 155 mph sustained winds and a storm surge of up to 18 ft in some areas. Sadly, this is the new norm, EDF experts say. Hurricane Ian is yet another reminder of how climate change is making violent storms more frequent—and much more intense.

As you consider Ian coverage, EDF has experts on the ground who can speak to the challenges Floridians face in the aftermath of the storm, what is to come for other coastal communities in the storm’s path, and why we know that storms like Ian will happen again and again.

• EDF Florida Director Dawn Shirreffs, based in Tampa Bay, is an expert in regional resilience and in Florida’s environmental challenges and policies. She will say that Florida needs to take a dual-pronged approach to both build its coastal resilience and mitigate climate change as the root cause of these stronger storms.
• Climate Scientist Dr. Tianyi Sun is a PhD in Climate Dynamics. She will say that climate change is making strong hurricanes like Ian intensify faster, happen more frequently, and cause more damage.
• Economist Dr. Carolyn Kousky is a disaster recovery specialist and expert on flood insurance. She will say that federal aid and insurance programs are often limited after major storms like Ian, and that equity is important to consider during recovery efforts.

With search and rescue efforts underway, EDF’s priority is the safety and well-being of all those in the storm’s path, including first responders, staff, and partners. We are actively monitoring the situation, with staff on the ground, to ensure their safety and to communicate what is happening to our broader network of staff and leadership.

(Virginia Beach, VA. – Sept. 29, 2022) Yesterday, Virginia’s Department of Conservation and Recreation (DCR) announced $13.6 million in funding for 27 applications through the Community Flood Preparedness Fund. The program, which prioritizes natural infrastructure and low-income geographies, funds resilience planning, capacity building, studies and project implementation to advance community-scale flood resilience for local and regional governments across the commonwealth.

Applications submitted from over 50 localities totaled nearly $93 million – demonstrating a need to fund flood resilience statewide. Although this announcement fell short of allocating the full $40 million DCR had made available in April, DCR noted that an additional $30 million would be available for 32 remaining applications following revisions.

“Communities across Virginia desperately need funding and support to plan for and implement resilience strategies that reduce flooding already impacting lives and livelihoods across the Commonwealth. Southwest Virginians are still recovering from two summers in a row of devastating floods – and remnants of Hurricane Ian could once again inundate communities still cleaning up from July’s floods. We are thrilled to see this program continue to support investment in our communities stretching from Tazewell County to the Eastern Shore that need it most, as many of these communities do not have the resources to initiate this important planning and implementation without these grant awards.

“Flooding is impacting both coastal and inland communities today, and climate change will drive increased impacts in the future due to sea level rise and extreme rainfall. But the reality is that our communities cannot afford to wait for the promise of funding sometime in the future. The sole source of revenue for the Community Flood Preparedness Fund is the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, from which Governor Youngkin has pledged to withdraw.

“The Department of Conservation and Recreation and the Youngkin Administration must continue to invest now in programs that reduce flood risk for vulnerable communities while equitably addressing the disproportionate impacts of statewide flooding.”

• Emily Steinhilber, Director, Climate Resilient Coasts and Watersheds, Virginia, Environmental Defense Fund 

Background:

• The third round of the Community Flood Preparedness Fund awarded $13.6 million to 22 local and regional governments across Virginia. Of this, 94 percent of funds awarded went to low-income geographies and 12 awards funded capacity building projects. 
• According to Virginia’s Coastal Resilience Master Plan, by 2080, the number of residents living in homes exposed to major coastal flooding will nearly triple from 360,000 people to nearly 1 million. Flood damages will skyrocket 1,300%, from $400 million to $5.1 billion annually. Without action, nearly 90% of tidal wetlands and almost 40% of dunes and beaches may be permanently inundated by 2080.  
• Virginia’s Community Flood Preparedness Fund launched in 2021 and provides critical funding for local governments to plan and implement flood resilience projects and, importantly, can help local governments secure additional federal dollars through matching programs. Soil and Water Conservation Districts and state-recognized Tribes are also eligible to apply for the Community Flood Preparedness Fund.
• The fund receives revenue from Virginia’s involvement in the market-based Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI). As the state’s only dedicated funding for flood resilience, continued revenue from RGGI auctions as well as other sources are critical to Virginia’s ability to address its growing flood risk.  
• In 2021, the fund awarded over $32 million to nearly 50 applications from 30 local governments across the state, from Roanoke to Alexandria to the town of Oyster on Virginia’s Eastern Shore. Learn more about the Community Flood Preparedness Fund and award recipients here.  

(Washington, D.C. – September 28, 2022) Robust community engagement and changes in the decision-making processes of government agencies would result in more reliable and equitable energy systems that better meet the needs of all Americans, according to a new report.

The report, Embedding Equity into Energy Regulatory Decisions, was prepared by Applied Economics Clinic on behalf of Environmental Defense Fund. Energy companies are exploring a wide variety of solutions to the risks from climate change, but those solutions will not be credible unless they include the specific needs of vulnerable communities – which are already bearing a disproportionate burden from climate change. Putting equity at the heart of decision-making will lead to better energy systems for all. The report analyzes the links between energy system reliability and equity issues and assesses how a wide variety of regulators should best account for equity when making decisions.

“Reliability and equity are the co-foundations of a high-quality energy service. Energy projects need both to be successful,” said Jolette Westbrook, EDF’s Director of Equitable Regulatory Solutions. “Our new report has recommendations to help public service commissions, government agencies and grid operators create energy systems that can address the challenges of climate change and provide fairer, more reliable service for all their customers.”

The report lays out six pillars of energy system planning: equity, reliability, resiliency, affordability, safety and sustainability.

The report then lays out eight developments where failure to address inequity could undermine those pillars:

• Accelerating climate change impacts and worst-case scenarios
• Greenhouse gas emission reduction requirement
• Increasing penetration of renewable energy and energy storage
• Increasing amounts of distributed energy resources
• Energy efficiency potential
• Increasing level of electrification
• Volatile gas prices and flat gas demand
• Meaningful, influential, and inclusive community engagement 

The report explores recommendations to address those developments by enhancing equity measures – such as adding considerations of income levels to programs that provide incentives for buying solar panels and batteries, increasing investment in mass transit, and considering the effects of expected climate damages like coastal flooding on under-resourced communities. The report also looks at how strengthening equity can help avoid mistakes. For instance, using reliability as an argument for creating new, highly-polluting infrastructure – already a controversial idea in the face of renewable sources that are getting cheaper and the acceleration of climate change – becomes much less convincing when inherent inequities are considered and addressed.

“Better reliability does not need to come at the expense of equity, and vice versa,” said Westbrook. “Community engagement and inclusive decision-making can help ensure we create fair, cost-efficient energy systems for vulnerable communities,” said Westbrook.

You can read the full report here.

(WASHINGTON – Sept. 29, 2022) The House Natural Resources Committee today, with support from policymakers from coast to coast, passed H.R.4690, the Sustaining America’s Fisheries for the Future Act. H.R. 4690 amends and reauthorizes the Magnuson-Stevens Fishery Conservation and Management Act (MSA), which governs fishing in federal waters. The MSA, enacted in 1976, established a science-based, stakeholder-driven management system that has successfully reduced overfishing and rebuilt many once-depleted fisheries to make the U.S. a world leader in fisheries management. Now, the Sustaining America’s Fisheries for the Future Act builds on the core foundation of the law to strengthen the sustainability of U.S. fisheries by promoting the use of electronic technologies, incorporating climate science into management, and advancing approaches that prioritize resilience.

“We applaud the action taken by the Committee today to advance the forward-looking, inclusive legislation developed by Representatives Huffman, Case, and the House Committee on Natural Resources. Thanks to decades of hard work through the science and stakeholder-based approach under the Magnuson-Stevens Act, 92% of stocks in the U.S. are not experiencing overfishing and 47 once-depleted stocks have been rebuilt. But impacts from climate change – like increasing ocean temperature that is causing fish stocks to seek cooler waters – are disrupting those advances and threatening to undo the gains we’ve made. We must act on the crisis at hand and begin adopting innovative tools and approaches like those included in the Sustaining America’s Fisheries for the Future Act. Now is the time to take the next step to ensure American fisheries remain resilient in the face of climate change while continuing to be a leader in sustainable fisheries. We look forward to continuing our work with all who care about the health of our nation’s fisheries – the fishing industry, recreational anglers, fishing communities, Native nations and Indigenous peoples, conservationists, and Congress – to find innovative solutions and approaches to meet the challenges facing our fisheries.”

• Kate Bonzon, Vice President, Climate Resilient Fisheries and Oceans

(Sacramento, CA — Sept. 28, 2022) As California suffers through a third year of severe drought, Gov. Gavin Newsom signed legislation last night that dedicates $40 million to the Department of Conservation’s Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program.

Established last year with an initial $50 million, the Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program helps farmers and agricultural communities adjust to reductions in groundwater use by creating new benefits for people and wildlife on previously irrigated lands. The program requires prioritizing projects that benefit disadvantaged communities and socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers for funding.

The Department of Conservation approved the first round of grants for the program in May to five agricultural counties after receiving applications for two times the funding available. The Department also selected Self-Help Enterprises and Environmental Defense Fund as the new “Statewide Support Entity” and assist the program’s block grantees with planning, project implementation, and community engagement services. 

“California’s drought is showing no signs of letting up, and rural communities need all the support the state can provide to help adapt to this new reality of ongoing water scarcity. The Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program provides farmers with an array of options for managing their land that will help balance groundwater supply and demand, so there is enough water to sustain communities long into the future.

The increased funding for land repurposing, while helpful, unfortunately, does not fully address both the magnitude and urgency of the challenge facing farmers, the agricultural sector, and rural communities. Land repurposing is one of many strategies needed to help communities make the difficult transition to using less water and the demand for this program will only increase as the drought persists. We urge the state to provide more funding not only to this program but to other complementary programs, such as job retraining, to support rural communities and particularly farm workers in transitioning to more diversified economies.”

• Ann Hayden, Associate Vice President, Climate Resilient Water Systems

“The Illinois Commerce Commission has taken steps that put Illinois on track for realizing the bold vision of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act. Two votes in particular will help shape a cleaner, more equitable energy future for Illinois.

“The Commission voted to increase peak load reduction targets for the two largest electric utilities in Illinois, Ameren and ComEd – a decision that will help reduce climate and air pollution, protect the grid, reduce the state’s reliance on dirty peaker plants, and save Illinois families money on their energy bills. The Commission also voted to change the way utilities prioritize service reliability for environmental justice and low-income communities – which will provide incentives for broader, more equitable, and more innovative investments.

“EDF is proud to have worked with Citizens Utility Board and members of Illinois communities who testified in support of these measures, and we’re glad to see the Illinois Commerce Commission’s votes in favor of them. These votes will help ensure cleaner and more reliable, affordable and equitable electric service for everyone in Illinois.”

           - Christie Hicks, EDF Senior Director and Lead Counsel, Equitable Regulatory Solutions

Senior environmental strategist Dr. Lea Borkenhagen will lead the private sector engagement division of Environmental Defense Fund. EDF+Business is known for forging unexpected partnerships with high–impact companies – including McDonalds, Walmart, and KKR – to transform business as usual in their products, operations, and advocacy. EDF+Business has since expanded work in accelerating corporate net zero action, environmental policy advocacy, investor engagement on climate issues, and removing toxic chemicals from products.  

“I am excited to lead the talented and forward-thinking EDF+Business team as we accelerate business’ drive towards a net zero, healthy, and equitable economy. Together, we will catalyze an ambitious vision, enable system-changing collaboration and innovation, and use all of EDF’s scientific, policy-based and business-facing capabilities to achieve our goals and to help deliver novel approaches for our common future,” said Dr. Borkenhagen. 

Dr. Borkenhagen brings two decades of experience in driving positive environmental and social outcomes through business leadership by developing future-facing strategies with the top global food, fashion, retail, and tech companies. She served as Global Strategy and Innovation Advisor to the Earthshot Prize, crafting the strategy to find solutions to the world's most pressing environmental challenges. Prior to that, Lea spent a decade at Nike, where she led a brand-only collaboration of global fashion, retail, and sportswear companies representing over $250B in revenue to deliver accelerated impacts on sustainability industry-wide. Lea headed Nike’s strategy to overturn a decades-old approach to labor and instead value it as a revenue driver, working from factory level to Board. 

Lea applies her on-the-ground knowledge on agriculture, forestry, and manufacturing to innovating on sustainability in business. Before Nike, Lea led Oxfam GB’s global livelihoods work, enabling her team to co-found the Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil and the Better Cotton Initiative, to build globally relevant frameworks for understanding business impacts on poverty, and to create accelerator fund mechanisms to support businesses that improved wages for low-income populations. 

Lea holds a PhD in Environmental Science, Policy and Management from the University of California at Berkeley on agriculture in Indonesia and was a Fulbright Scholar in the Cote d’Ivoire. Earlier in her career, Lea focused on biodiversity and forest conservation, contributing to the first WRI-IUCN-UNEP Global Biodiversity Strategy where she pioneered a focus on gender and was awarded by UNEP as a New Generation Leader. Her undergraduate degree from Harvard University examined primate and forest ecology in Indonesia. 

“We have until 2030 to drive significant emissions cuts across the global economy. We are delighted to welcome Dr. Borkenhagen at a time when the stakes could not be higher to put business engagement for climate action into overdrive,” said Elaine Gowdy, Associate Vice President of EDF+Business. 

(Washington, D.C. – September 27, 2022) Automakers and battery manufacturers worldwide will spend more than $626 billion through 2030 to develop new electric cars, passenger trucks, freight trucks and buses, according to the latest report by ERM for the Environmental Defense Fund. That’s an increase of about 20% -- more than $110 billion – from projections in the last edition of the report six months ago.

“This report shows that we are moving forward rapidly toward the zero-emitting vehicles that will protect people’s health and wallets, safeguard our climate, and create economic growth and jobs,” said Peter Zalzal, EDF Associate Vice President for Clean Air Strategies. “The findings in this report also underscore the enormous opportunity and urgency for EPA to move forward with protective and equitable standards for light, medium and heavy-duty vehicles that put our nation on a pathway toward eliminating harmful pollution from these cars and trucks.”

The September 2022 Electric Vehicle Market Update is the seventh in a series that tracks the current status and projected growth of the U.S. electric vehicle industry over the next five to ten years. The original report was released in May of 2019. While previous editions of the report focused primarily on light-duty electric vehicles (passenger cars and trucks, this version also provides an in-depth discussion of medium and heavy-duty electric vehicles (such as freight trucks, semis, buses, garbage trucks and delivery vehicles). 

The transportation sector is the largest source of climate pollution in the U.S. and is a main source of other pollutants that cause smog and damage human health. This report comes at a time when EPA is considering future “Tier 4” standards for passenger cars and trucks for model years 2027 as well as stronger standards for model year 2027 to 2029 medium and heavy-duty vehicles. The report’s findings underscore the importance of EPA moving forward swiftly with protective standards in order to slash climate and air pollution, improve the U.S. economy by creating new jobs, strengthen national security by reducing dependence on imported oil, and help families save money on fuel. 

The latest edition of the report finds momentum for electric vehicle development and production is continuing to grow at dizzying speeds both in the U.S. and globally. In the U.S. that growth will be turbocharged by several important federal and state actions, including passage of the Inflation Reduction Act and California’s approval of its Advanced Clean Cars II program. The Inflation Reduction Act, which was signed into law by President Biden in August, offers consumers up to $7,500 in tax credits for the purchase of a new clean car, up to $4,000 for a used clean car, and up to $40,000 for a new commercial vehicle, as well as billions in other grants and tax incentives to spur zero-emission vehicle manufacturing. California’s Advanced Clean Cars II standards require that all new passenger cars and trucks sold in the state will be zero-emitting by 2035 (four other states – Massachusetts, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington – have already announced plans to adopt those standards within the year).

Major automakers are also embracing electrification as evidenced by the increased number and variety of electric models offered, as well as commitments to sales targets and manufacturing investments.

The latest report finds:

• More electric cars and passenger trucks are on the road now than ever before – globally, more than 16 and a half million at the end of 2021. 
• In the first nine months of this year, over 15 automakers and EV battery manufacturers announced new or additional U.S.-based investments in clean vehicles – a combined total of $51 billion, which will lead to jobs for more than 41,000 people. Most of these investment announcements were made before the Inflation Reduction Act passed, which will catalyze even greater levels of investments in the future.
• In the U.S., 187 models of electrified cars and passenger trucks are expected to be for sale by the end of 2025 – an increase of 78 models from the expected number in the last version of the report.
• 15 of those U.S. models are available for less than $40,000 as of 2022. With the newly expanded federal incentives, 10 models will be less than $30,000.
• In the U.S., the median EPA estimated range of electric passenger cars and trucks for model year 2021 exceeded 230 miles. Some model year 2022 vehicles are offering a maximum range of more than 500 miles.
• The cost of battery packs for electric vehicles has fallen dramatically, from more than $1,000 per kilowatt-hour in 2010 to approximately $132 dollars per kilowatt-hour in 2021. Prices are expected to continue falling to as low as $61 per kilowatt-hour by 2030. That trajectory could be slowed by ongoing supply chain disruptions but could also be alleviated by provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act.
• The cost of battery packs for electric vehicles has fallen dramatically, from more than $1,000 per kilowatt-hour in 2010 to approximately $132 dollars per kilowatt-hour in 2021. Prices are expected to continue falling to as low as $61 per kilowatt-hour by 2030. The Inflation Reduction Act includes significant, reinforcing incentives to support U.S. battery manufacturing.

The newest report also finds significant growth in the electric medium and heavy-duty market:

• In 2019, there were only 20 models of Class 2b-8 zero-emission trucks available for purchase in the U.S.; now, there are more than 136 models available.
• The number of available models of zero-emitting commercial trucks and buses is expected to increase almost 26% globally from 2020 to 2023, up to 544 models.
• Roush Industries found that upfront costs for electric heavy-duty vehicles are expected to drop by as much as 44% by 2027. When considering Inflation Reduction Act funding, Roush found the purchase price of many medium and heavy-duty vehicles (including refuse trucks, shuttle buses and delivery trucks) will be the same or less than their diesel counterpart as early as 2023.

You can read the full September 2022 Electric Vehicle Market Update here. Read other recent EDF reports: Clean Cars, Clean Air, Consumer Savings here and Clean Trucks, Clean Air, American jobs. 

(WASHINGTON — Sept. 24, 2022) “This monumental move to create a new Office of Environmental Justice at Environmental Protection Agency is long overdue. During my time at EPA, I saw the enormous potential that federal attention and resources can have for environmental justice efforts. This development is an important step to mobilize work at every level to achieve a more just future.

“The climate crisis demands us to sharpen our commitment to environmental action and — crucially — to invest in the communities most affected by environmental degradation and disaster. With this new department, EPA is filling key gaps and taking a major stride in supporting and protecting every community, especially the communities to which the environmental movement is indebted.”

• Dr. Margot Brown, Vice President of Justice & Equity at Environmental Defense Fund

“Environmental justice starts and ends with communities. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Justice 40, and the Inflation Reduction Act have created generational opportunities to build a resilient, equitable future for our communities. A department of environmental justice within the EPA is a key development to seize this moment and revitalize the agency’s commitment to the people and communities at the forefront of the climate crisis.”

• Heather McTeer Toney, Vice President of Community Engagement at Environmental Defense Fund

Dr. Margot Brown is available to respond to media inquiries through the weekend. To get in touch, contact Cecile Brown.

(Washington, D.C. – September 21, 2022) Today, the U.S. Senate delivered a bipartisan win on climate action, ratifying the Kigali Agreement to the 1987 Montreal Protocol, which would phase down hydrofluorocarbons, or HFCs. These heat-trapping pollutants used in refrigerators and air conditioners are 1,000 times more potent than carbon dioxide. With the Senate’s approval, the United States joins 137 nations, including China and India, to ratify or accept the treaty amendment. U.S. ratification stalled during the Trump administration, but President Biden revived efforts last year.

“This is another important action by the United States to regain credibility, rebuild trust and demonstrate the seriousness of its commitment to confronting climate change. With bipartisan support, the Senate has committed to international climate policy that phases down a super-pollutant while bolstering U.S. manufacturing. The United States already leads the world in making climate-friendly alternatives to HFCs, and this move helps eliminate potential barriers to export them. Opening fast-growing international markets to U.S. manufacturers can create tens of thousands of family-sustaining jobs here at home. This once again shows that strong environmental protection is also smart economic policy.”

• Carol Andress, associate vice president, congressional affairs and climate policy

(NEW YORK, NY) The U.S. has committed to cut national emissions in half by 2030. It can’t achieve that goal without agriculture, which currently emits more than 10% of the country’s annual emissions. Until now, details about how to cut agricultural emissions — without compromising food security or producer livelihoods — were unclear.

Ambitious Climate Mitigation Pathways for U.S. Agriculture and Forestry: Vision for 2030, a new report from Environmental Defense Fund with economic analysis from ICF, provides a bold but achievable roadmap for how farms, ranches and forests can get the U.S. 17% of the way toward its 2030 goal.

The report sets the first science-based targets for reduced emissions from U.S. agriculture and increased carbon storage from U.S. forestry, and identifies the most impactful, lowest-cost pathways to achieve those targets. By 2030, U.S. farms and ranches can cut agricultural emissions by 23%, and U.S. forests can boost carbon storage by 43%.

“Climate change is already here, making it harder to grow crops and raise cattle in many places. Fortunately, agriculture has two super powers to quickly slow warming this decade: cutting methane from livestock production and nitrous oxide from fertilizer use. These are powerful greenhouse gases that largely determine the rate of climate change we will experience in the near term,” said Amy Hughes, senior manager for Climate-Smart Agriculture at EDF.

“To stabilize the climate, we need to protect existing forests and reforest areas where forests have been cleared. That will require significant new investments in forest conservation and restoration by the federal government and the private sector,” said Eric Holst, associate vice president for Natural Climate Solutions at EDF. “Land use decisions are the biggest determinant of whether the vast U.S. landscape will be a net carbon sink or source.”

The four biggest agriculture and forestry climate opportunities are:

• Cutting agricultural methane emissions 25% by 2030 by changing how much methane cattle burp as they digest food and improving the way manure is stored.
• Cutting agricultural nitrous oxide emissions 9% by 2030 by optimizing fertilizer use on cropland.
• Cutting carbon dioxide emissions from land use change 72% by 2030 by keeping all existing forests, wetlands and grasslands intact rather than clearing them for new cropland or urban developments.
• Increasing carbon storage in forests 32% by 2030 by reforesting land, improving management of existing forests, and adopting agroforestry practices that integrate trees and shrubs into crop- and pastureland.

“The climate pathways in this report will slow warming and create new market opportunities for rural economies,” said Britt Groosman, vice president of Climate-Smart Agriculture at EDF. “This is the most important decade in our lifetimes for determining the climate future we will experience. It’s time to help farmers, ranchers and foresters achieve the full mitigation potential of these climate solutions.”

“The climate opportunities EDF identified in this report would avoid the equivalent annual emissions of more than 120 million gasoline-powered passenger vehicles or more than 150 coal-fired power plants,” said Brad Hurley, senior communications consultant at ICF. “The agriculture and forestry sectors have a vital role to play in reducing greenhouse gas pollution and limiting the impacts of future climate change.”