Complete list of press releases

(NUEVA YORK, NY) El huracán Fiona tocó tierra en Puerto Rico como categoría 1 durante el fin de semana, causando inundaciones catastróficas y dejando a toda la isla sin electricidad. Muchas comunidades, algunas de las cuales todavía están reconstruyéndose después del huracán María hace cinco años, sufrieron daños adicionales, lo cual requerirá mucho más tiempo y recursos para recuperarse por completo.

“Es inaceptable que cinco años después del huracán María, Puerto Rico siga en una situación tan precaria. La crisis energética actual es grave, y los puertorriqueños y la economía de la isla todavía están sufriendo. Instamos al gobierno y a las partes correspondientes a encontrar soluciones concretas, tomar acciones rápidas y efectivas para resolver la situación”.

“Se necesita hacer más por las familias de Puerto Rico a medida que se recuperan, enfocándose en la modernización del sistema eléctrico. Proveer energía limpia, asequible y confiable a toda la isla a largo plazo es esencial. Environmental Defense Fund continúa trabajando con las comunidades para crear estas oportunidades, y ayudar a Puerto Rico a prosperar en el futuro”.

• Daniel Whittle, Director Senior, Iniciativas Caribeñas

Environmental Defense Fund busca identificar soluciones energéticas efectivas y equitativas que puedan traer electricidad limpia y centrada a las comunidades de Puerto Rico, y puedan satisfacer las necesidades diarias de sus familias haciendo que isla sea más resiliente al cambio climático. Nuestro trabajo se centra en promover un proyecto de almacenamiento y energía solar impulsado por la comunidad en la isla de Culebra y en apoyar a una variedad de organizaciones que están impulsando un cambio sistémico en la red eléctrica de Puerto Rico. Abordamos este trabajo de manera holística, aprovechando nuestra experiencia técnica, herramientas de financiamiento sostenible y experiencia en reforma energética para ayudar a desarrollar soluciones a largo plazo para la crisis energética del territorio. Para obtener más información, visite: www.edf.org/PuertoRico.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — General Motors and Environmental Defense Fund today announced a set of recommendations that seek to accelerate a zero-emissions, all-electric future for passenger vehicles in model year 2027 and beyond. 

The recommendations were jointly developed by GM and EDF to support the next tier of EPA clean car standards. GM and EDF encourage EPA to establish standards aimed at ensuring that at least 50% of new vehicles sold by 2030 are zero emitting, while achieving at least a 60% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in model year 2030, and dramatically reducing nitrogen oxides and particulates, consistent with eliminating tailpipe pollution from new passenger vehicles by 2035.

These specific, joint principles announced by the largest U.S. automaker and a leading environmental organization demonstrate historic progress toward clean transportation. We look forward to working with EPA on incorporating these principles into the next generation of national tailpipe emission standards.

“General Motors has the ultimate goal of eliminating tailpipe emissions from new light duty vehicles by 2035,” said GM Chair and CEO Mary Barra. “As new standards are being developed, we are pleased to join the Environmental Defense Fund to provide recommendations that support accelerated adoption of electric vehicles to put us on the path toward that goal.”

“GM and EDF are joining together to advocate for EPA standards that will move America to zero pollution from new cars and SUVs by 2035,” said Fred Krupp, president, EDF. “That will mean heathier communities, a safer climate for all, and turbocharging U.S. manufacturing and jobs.”

Outlined below, GM and EDF propose principles that: focus on a path to a zero-emissions, all-electric future that eliminates tailpipe emissions from new light-duty vehicles by 2035, provide certainty for automakers and communities, seek performance-based and multipollutant standards reflecting EPA’s long-standing approach to vehicle emission standards, support underserved and socially vulnerable communities, offer a compliance pathway that supports accelerated EV adoption, and encourage coordination between the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Transportation. 

Shared Principles on EPA Tier 4 Standards for Model Year 2027 and Later Vehicles

• Standards should achieve protective, science-based emission reductions reflecting the availability of zero-emitting vehicle technology. Standards should help to ensure at least 50% of new vehicles sold by 2030 are zero-emissions vehicles and be consistent with eliminating tailpipe pollution from new passenger vehicles by 2035. Standards should also encompass class 2b and 3 vehicles, consistent with President Biden’s Executive Order. New light-duty vehicle standards along these lines should achieve at least a fleetwide 60% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in model year 2030, compared to model year 2021.
• Standards should be proposed this year and adopted next year, providing stability and certainty for manufacturers beyond 2030. Standards should be proposed in the fall of 2022 and finalized in the fall of 2023. Standards should extend until at least 2032 and EPA should consider adoption through 2035, securing deep pollution reductions and providing a stable investment signal and regulatory certainty for manufacturers.
• Standards should be designed in a manner consistent with EPA’s long-standing regulation of emissions from new motor vehicles. Standards should be multipollutant, reflecting the ability of zero-emissions vehicles to deliver reductions in greenhouses gases, nitrogen oxides and particles. Standards should be performance-based and build from EPA’s existing and long-standing approach to regulate pollution from automobiles, including assigning zero emissions to vehicles that have no tailpipe emissions. Designing standards in this manner will likewise help to support their timely adoption and durability.
• Standards should be designed to enhance equity. Standards should be designed to ensure the benefits of pollution reductions are shared equitably and support those underserved and socially vulnerable communities disproportionately impacted by climate change. Standards must also ensure that greater adoption of zero-emissions vehicles does not interfere with further per-vehicle emission reductions from new internal combustion engine vehicles.​​​​​​
• Standards should incorporate an innovation opt-in compliance pathway for multipollutant reductions. A voluntary, transparent and enforceable opt-in pathway for innovative manufacturers could accelerate deployment of new zero-emissions vehicles even more rapidly while rewarding leadership, providing stability for major investments, and ensuring durable outcomes in reducing climate and air pollution.
• Complementary public and equitable investments. GM and EDF are committed to collaborating on national and state manufacturing, consumer, infrastructure, equity and worker training investments such as the incentives in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Legislation and Inflation Reduction Act supporting the transition to zero-emitting vehicles and working with key policymakers to mobilize such incentives. GM and EDF are collaborating to support actions that will help ensure zero-emitting vehicle goals are met, and that the infrastructure and the health and economic benefits of this transition are fully available and accessible to all. GM and EDF also recognize the importance of building sustainable, just and socially responsible supply chains to meet these goals. 
• Coordination. President Biden’s Executive Order on Strengthening American Leadership in Clean Cars and Trucks recognizes the importance of coordination, as appropriate and consistent with applicable law, to draw on the expertise of various agencies and leading states. Coordination between EPA and DOT in carrying out their respective rulemaking responsibilities can help to accelerate innovation and manufacturing in the automotive sector, strengthen the domestic supply chain and grow jobs that provide good pay and benefits. By avoiding interference between the EPA and DOT programs, the nation’s resources can be focused on eliminating tailpipe greenhouse gas emissions and all tailpipe pollution through an affordable ZEV fleet that will achieve healthier air and help mitigate climate change, save drivers money at the gas pump, strengthen energy security, and provide clarity and coordination in achieving President Biden’s goals for our nation.

(NEW YORK, NY) Hurricane Fiona, a category 1 storm, made landfall in Puerto Rico over the weekend, causing catastrophic flooding and leaving much of the island without electricity. Many communities, some of which were still working to rebuild after Hurricane Maria five years ago, suffered additional setbacks that will require significantly more time and resources to fully recover.

“It is unacceptable that five years after hurricane Maria, Puerto Rico is still in such precarious situation. The current energy crisis is dire, and Puerto Ricans and the island’s economy are still taking a hit. We urge the government and the corresponding parties to find concrete solutions and take swift and effective action to resolve the situation.”

“More needs to be done for Puerto Rico’s families as they get back on their feet, focusing on the electric system’s modernization to bring clean, affordable and reliable energy to the entire island in the long-term. Environmental Defense Fund is committed to continue working with communities to create these opportunities and help Puerto Rico thrive and prosper long into the future.”  

• Daniel Whittle, Senior Director, Caribbean Initiatives

Environmental Defense Fund seeks to identify effective and equitable energy solutions that can bring clean, community-centered electricity to Puerto Rico and can meet the daily needs of its residents, while making the island more resilient to climate change. Our work centers on advancing a community-driven solar and storage project on the island of Culebra and supporting a range of partners who are driving systemic change to the energy system across Puerto Rico. We approach this work holistically, leveraging our technical expertise, sustainable financing tools and energy reform experience to help develop long-term solutions to the territory’s energy crisis. For more information, visit www.edf.org/PuertoRico.

(Vallejo, CA — September 16, 2022) Today, Governor Newsom signed into law an array of environmental bills, including a suite of ambitious climate measures designed to tackle the urgent climate crisis head-on. These measures codify the state’s commitment to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2045, create a framework for the responsible deployment of carbon capture as a climate strategy, and establish a health and safety setback around oil and gas wells. 

“Governor Newsom has solidified his role as a climate leader and, together with the State Legislature, secured California’s position at the front of the pack of ambitious states. Recognizing the accelerating threat of climate change, as well as the opportunities from the Inflation Reduction Act, California is seizing this moment to elevate its climate fight. 

“Now, California needs to implement these measures swiftly to drive down emissions this decade and equitably to ensure they improve the lives of all Californians, especially those at greatest risk from climate impacts and pollution.

“With the adoption of these essential climate and equity measures, California continues to build a resilient and climate-safe future for all residents, while providing a model for other states.” 

• Katelyn Roedner Sutter, Senior Manager, U.S. Climate at EDF

Background on three of the key bills signed today: 

1.  The California Climate Crisis Act (AB 1279, Muratsuchi)

This legislation codifies California’s commitment to achieve net-zero by no later than 2045. This enables the legislature, communities and businesses to start long-term planning, with certainty, for a safer future today. Critically, this goal requires California to slash emissions by 85% — ensuring the state uses solutions at our fingertips now to sharply cut pollution from industrial facilities, vehicles, power plants and more, even as the state starts to build out necessary carbon removal strategies.

2.  Framework for carbon capture with community protections (SB 905, Caballero & Skinner)

This bill establishes a framework to enable the deployment of carbon capture technology to reduce emissions from stationary sources, with the inclusion of essential community protections and environmental integrity provisions. Solutions meant to reduce emissions should not harm local air quality or public health, especially in communities historically overburdened by pollution. 

3.  Health and safety setbacks around oil wells (SB 1137, Gonzalez & Limon)

Governor Newsom directed the California Geologic Energy Management Division (CalGEM) to establish a regulation to create a public health and safety setback around oil wells in 2021. With this legislation, this policy is now enshrined in law. California’s environmental justice leaders have been advocating for this policy for years, and state leaders have finally taken decisive action to protect public health.

(RALEIGH, NC – Sept. 14, 2022)  On September 14, 2018, Hurricane Florence made landfall at Wrightsville Beach as a category one hurricane. More than 30 inches of rain fell in parts of eastern North Carolina as the storm hovered over the state in the days following landfall. The damage was significant: 42 fatalities were reported in North Carolina, and damage estimates exceeded $16 billion. 

Following the storm, EDF coordinated with state agencies, local governments and nonprofits to develop a plan and budget to strengthen North Carolina’s resilience to the increasingly damaging effects of climate change. That work, led by NC Rep. John Bell and NC Sen. Jim Perry, culminated in the development of a state budget which allocated approximately $300 million in the 2021 state budget to proactively mitigate flooding, including:

• $20 million for the Flood Resilience Blueprint to provide local communities with information on flood risks and solutions.
• $15 million for Land and Water Fund and $3.5 million for Division of Mitigation Services to develop natural infrastructure flood mitigation solutions.
• $25 million to Goldleaf Foundation and $15 million to Division of Emergency Management to provide capacity and funding for local community’s flood solutions.

“Funding flood mitigation and community resilience before the next storm happens is a first for North Carolina, and the beginning of a more proactive climate action approach in our state,” said Will McDow, EDF’s Senior Director, Climate Resilient Coasts and Watersheds. “Engaging in pre-disaster mitigation efforts rather than waiting until storms or flooding hit will better protect our communities, infrastructure, and local economies from the human and financial tolls of climate change.” 

“Thanks to the leadership of NC Representative John Bell and NC Senator Jim Perry, North Carolina has a plan and, importantly, the funding to execute on it,” added McDow. “Bell and Perry have been committed since day one, and have a vision for building on these first steps, acknowledging the reality that flood mitigation will need to be a state priority for the foreseeable future to effectively prepare and protect North Carolina from future storms.”

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Partnerships for Climate-Smart Commodities program today awarded $2.8 billion in funding to pilot projects that develop and expand markets for crops and livestock farmed in ways that reduce greenhouse gas emissions or sequester carbon.

“USDA saw overwhelming interest from farmers, ranchers and foresters to accelerate agriculture’s capacity to deliver climate benefits. The agency met the moment, nearly tripling their original $1 billion commitment and creating a dedicated pool of funding for climate projects that expand opportunities for farmers of color, beginning farmers and other historically marginalized producers.

“This is the decisive decade for determining what our climate future will be. Agriculture currently contributes 10% of U.S. emissions, but it has enormous capacity to be part of the solution. USDA’s increased investment will equip producers to cut emissions and make their businesses more resilient. It will boost scientific research to measure climate progress over time.

“The Food and Agriculture Climate Alliance, of which EDF is a founding member, called on USDA to create a climate-focused pilot program last year, and that recommendation was the basis for this program. EDF is thrilled to see those ideas come to fruition with so much momentum behind them.

“EDF contributed to multiple proposals that were awarded grants under the program. These include: a project led by the University of Arizona, which will involve several tribes, Bridgestone Americas and OpenET to accelerate the transition to climate-smart, lower-water-use agricultural practices in the Southwest; and a project led by Field to Market that will use innovative finance mechanisms to accelerate climate-smart practice adoption and increase demand for climate-smart commodities.”  

• Britt Groosman, vice president, Climate-Smart Agriculture

“In the coming weeks Congress will consider a proposal to change the permitting process for energy projects. EDF believes the goal of a more effective permitting process is worthwhile, particularly to improve the review of needed clean energy projects. We also believe that reform need not come at the expense of meaningful community input. However, we have significant concerns about the details of the proposal as it has been reported. 

“Any changes in this area must maintain the strong environmental standards that exist in current law and allow for early and comprehensive community input as well as ensuring community protections to hold government agencies accountable. Congress must respect permitting decisions made by expert agencies and the courts. It must not weaken the evaluation of cumulative impacts – so important for protecting public health and addressing environmental injustice.  

“Congress should be cautious in providing a fast-track permitting process. Any projects chosen for fast-track assessment should have wide community support and should reduce pollution, create jobs, and make our energy system more resilient. No project should be automatically approved simply because the evaluative process does not meet an artificial deadline. 

“Given these priorities, the current proposal as reported falls short and EDF would oppose it.”

(SAN FRANCISCO, CA—Sept. 8, 2022) Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) welcomed Michael Myatt today as a Senior Director, Climate Resilient Water Systems, to help lead its California water work. Myatt brings extensive expertise in sustainable groundwater management, water data transparency and integration, healthy rivers and business outreach to the position.

Before joining EDF, Myatt was a program officer at the Water Foundation for 10 years, creating and leading coalition-building efforts among various environmental organizations, including EDF, with an emphasis on multibenefit solutions and cross-sector collaboration. His broad experience also includes nearly three years serving as board chair of the California Water Consortium, six years working at the California Department of Water Resources and eight years as a policy and finance analyst with the CALFED Bay-Delta Program.

"I am excited to work closely with Mike to advance California’s water and land resilience by expanding use of our water accounting and trading platform, supporting implementation of California’s new Multibenefit Land Repurposing Program, and advancing holistic governance and science programs in the Sacramento Valley.” said Ann Hayden, EDF’s Associate Vice President, Climate Resilient Water Systems. “Mike brings a wealth of experience that will help us apply lessons learned in California to other U.S. and international geographies.”  

“Mike was a leader and innovator on behalf of the Water Foundation for more than a decade,” said Allison Harvey Turner, CEO of the Water Foundation. “Mike’s efforts were integral to the passage and implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, the Open and Transparent Water Data Act and more. We’re thrilled to see Mike continuing his passion for climate resilience for Environmental Defense Fund.”

“I’m honored to join the talented team at EDF to advance solutions for our most pressing water challenges. Long-term resilience of our water systems requires immediate and bold action, in collaboration with the larger community,” said Myatt. “I am excited to be part of an organization that is committed to solving complex environmental issues with creative approaches and inclusive partnerships.”

Myatt will play a leading role in the development and execution of replicable strategies and tools to create more resilient water and land systems across California, with a focus on the Central Valley. He will advance EDF’s work on implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act and expand EDF’s collaborative relationships with agricultural, environmental justice, conservation and other partners.

(PANAMA CITY – September 7, 2022) A new partnership announced today between the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) will build collaborative clean air solutions in 33 Latin American and Caribbean countries over the next four years.

Today’s announcement is in conjunction with the International Day of Clean Air for Blue Skies, a global movement to inspire and scale action on air pollution. The new collaboration between UNEP and EDF aims to leapfrog current barriers to advancing clean air in the region.

Air pollution is the leading environmental risk for early death, responsible for nearly 7 million premature deaths each year around the world from heart attacks, strokes, diabetes and respiratory diseases. More than 500 million people living in Latin America and the Caribbean breathe air that exceeds the World Health Organization’s guidelines for pollutants like nitrogen dioxide, fine particle pollution and ground-level ozone.

The overarching goals of this regional collaboration include increasing the understanding and awareness of air pollution levels, sources and health impacts; enhancing air quality management practices and tools; strengthening regional cooperation across cities and countries; and securing necessary funding to enable and deliver high-impact solutions to maximize benefits to public health and climate. Collaborating partners will include representatives from government, private sector, civil society, grassroots organizations, international development agencies and philanthropic organizations.

“Air pollution knows no geographic boundaries, and regional cooperation across cities and nations will be critical to improve air quality, reduce climate pollution and ensure a healthier future for everyone,” said Amanda Leland, EDF’s executive director. “Many of the same sources of pollution, notably the use of fossil fuels, harm our health and warm the planet. This clean air partnership addressed to 33 Latin American and Caribbean countries will bring significant public health benefits and advance climate action goals where more than half a billion people live, work and play.”

“We are pleased to help strengthen international cooperation for clean air in Latin America and the Caribbean through the Regional Action Plan 2022-2025 we are presenting today, joining efforts with different key partners such as Environmental Defense Fund,” said Jacqueline Alvarez, UNEP’s Latin America and the Caribbean regional director. “As the UN Secretary-General himself has said, clean air is now a human right, and we need to continue working with countries and cities, experts, international organizations and civil society to promote action to clean the air we share.”

To launch regional activities and dialogue between participating nations, UNEP and EDF, along with the Regional Intergovernmental Network on Air Pollution for Latin America and the Caribbean, will co-host an international workshop on October 5-6 in Bogotá, Colombia. The workshop will provide resources on state-of-the-art air quality management strategies, including opportunities to adopt emerging practices into clean air and climate plans, for at least 50 air quality practitioners from the region.

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(WASHINGTON – Sep. 6, 2022) Environmental Defense Fund’s Fishery Solutions Center today released its new Climate-Resilient Fisheries Toolkit, providing fishing communities and partners with tools and resources to help them achieve their goals of resilient and sustainable fisheries in the face of climate change.

“This Toolkit guides frontline stakeholders and communities who are currently grappling with climate change,” said Eduardo “Lalo” Boné, Senior Manager of EDF’s Cuba Oceans Program. “The tools are designed to be utilized in a participatory manner, bringing people together to work collaboratively, share knowledge, and identify actions that can be taken now to meet their needs.”

Climate change and overfishing are increasingly straining fisheries and the marine ecosystems that support them, putting marine biodiversity, the nutrition of people in coastal communities and the global food supply at greater risk. To help address these critical issues, EDF’s multidisciplinary team has worked closely with hundreds of stakeholders and practitioners from fishing communities around the world to synthesize their knowledge into easy-to-use tools that collectively represent the most comprehensive set of resources to solve key challenges. The learnings and processes developed from these experiences can be found in the Climate-Resilient Fisheries Toolkit, designed to help practitioners build greater resilience in their fisheries and communities.

“Whether you are a fisher, a fishery researcher, manager, NGO representative, community member, academic or local official – the Toolkit features tools and resources that support you in building climate-resilient fisheries and communities,” said Jeff Young, Sr. Manager of Global Capacity Development. “Even if you have limited fishery data, the tools and frameworks can help you use the best available information, including local and traditional knowledge, to make informed management decisions.”

The Toolkit features over 30 tools and resources, easily segmented into the following six themes that support the needs of a diversity of fishery stakeholders:

• Governance & Policy
• Science & Data
• Climate Adaptive Management
• Secure Fishing Rights
• Livelihoods & Wellbeing
• Oceans Technology Solutions

As fishery managers and communities around the world seek to understand and address the impacts of climate change, the Toolkit serves as a bridge to cutting edge research and approaches to support on-the-ground action. The Climate Vulnerability Assessment tool, building from methodologies developed by NOAA, enables users in data- and capacity-limited contexts to examine how climate impacts will affect different species in local waters, allowing communities to prioritize species for stronger monitoring or management. “NutriCast,” a web-based tool developed by the University of California Santa Barbara’s emLab, EDF and Harvard’s Chan School of Public Health allows decision makers to explore predicted nutritional gains from marine fisheries and mariculture reforms under climate change, which can inform policies, interventions, or initiatives to bolster food and nutrition security.

EDF’s new guidance document, Technologies for Climate-Resilient Fisheries, illustrates how new and emerging technologies can help address key fishery management challenges resulting from climate change, providing a practical overview of opportunities for technology-supported management. EDF will continue to add new tools and resources as they become available.

“Our hope is that the Climate-Resilient Fisheries Toolkit inspires people around the world by sharing success stories and the ‘how-to’ guidance to take action,” said Sarah Poon, Associate Vice President for the Fishery Solutions Center. “We look forward to continuing to work with partners around the world to develop and apply the tools and solutions needed to support ocean health and community wellbeing.”

(Sacramento, CA — September 1, 2022) Last night, the California Legislature passed a package of significant climate legislation that includes a codification of the state’s goal to reach net-zero by 2045, a framework for the implementation of carbon capture technologies and setback requirements for oil and gas wells. These policies will improve the lives of Californians by protecting communities from the short- and long-term effects of pollution and climate change.

“California legislators just passed a strong climate package that will drive meaningful progress towards achieving carbon neutrality, responsibly deploying carbon capture technologies and solidifying community protections against pollution. But more work remains for California to ensure that it is ambitiously fighting climate change.”

Three key climate wins from this package are:

1.  The California Climate Crisis Act

With the passage of this bill (AB 1279, Muratsuchi), California has locked in a pathway for it to reach net-zero by no later than 2045. This enables the legislature, communities and businesses to start long-term planning, with certainty, for a safer future today. Critically, this goal requires California to slash emissions by 85% — ensuring the state uses solutions at our fingertips now to sharply cut pollution from industrial facilities, vehicles, power plants and more.

2.  Framework for carbon capture with community protections

Solutions meant to reduce emissions should not harm local air quality or public health, especially in communities historically overburdened by pollution. The California legislature has taken a significant step toward responsible deployment of carbon capture technology with a framework that includes essential community protections and environmental integrity provisions (SB 905, Caballero & Skinner).

3.  Health and safety setbacks around oil wells

After attempts at establishing a health and safety setback between oil and gas wells and sensitive receptors fell short in previous sessions, the California legislature has finally codified essential community protections (SB 1137, Gonzalez, Limon). Achieving California’s climate goals is essential, but how we achieve those goals matters enormously. By ensuring a setback requirement to minimize the pollution impacts of oil wells, California has taken a significant step in the right direction.

Unfortunately, a key piece of legislation (AB 2133, Quirk) did not make it through this legislative session. The bill would have ramped up targeted pollution cuts from 40% to 55% — a target that would have been among the strongest in the country. California still needs this to maximize cuts in climate pollution in this decade — which is absolutely crucial for the fight against climate change.

“We thank the legislative leadership and Governor Newsom for their extraordinary efforts and ambitious vision for a climate-safe future for all Californians. We look forward to ensuring this package of legislation serves the people of California, and that the state remains at the forefront of state-led climate action.”

• Katelyn Roedner Sutter, Senior Manager, U.S. Climate at EDF

(August 25, 2022) – The California Air Resources Board just approved new standards that will ensure all new cars and passenger trucks sold in the state will be zero-emitting by 2035. The move will ultimately eliminate all climate and health-harming tailpipe pollution from those cars and trucks – one of the largest sources of pollution both in California and nationally.

“California’s new standards will save thousands of lives, protect people’s heath and our climate from dangerous pollution, and save families more than $13,000 in gas costs over the life of their new car. That’s in addition to the huge savings people will get thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act – tax credits of $7500 for buying a new clean vehicle or $4000 for buying a used one. These standards will also help create a renaissance for American manufacturing, with thousands of good new jobs,” said Fred Krupp, president of Environmental Defense Fund. “The standards passed today move California to the head of the pack in the race for clean transportation. Thanks to the state’s leadership, California – and our entire country – are now speeding toward a safer and healthier future with no tailpipe pollution.”

The California Air Resources Board voted in favor of the Advanced Clean Cars II (ACC II) standards after an all-day hearing today. The standards have strong support from major automakers, other businesses, healthcare systems, employers, investors, and environmental groups including EDF.

An EDF analysis found that ensuring all new passenger cars and trucks sold in California in 2035 are zero-emitting vehicles will:

• Prevent more than 7,400 premature deaths in the state by 2050
• Eliminate more than 1.2 billion tons of climate pollution by 2050
• Significantly reduce dangerous smog-forming and particulate pollution
• Save Californians who buy a zero-emitting vehicle in 2035 more than $13,000 over the life of the vehicle in fuel costs, compared to a gas-powered car

All Americans, including Californians, can save more money under the recently adopted Inflation Reduction Act, the single largest climate investment in U.S. history, which tax credits designed help make zero emitting cars and passenger trucks more accessible. Consumer Reports has a list of current models that are expected to qualify for the tax credits. Right now there are 15 electric passenger vehicle models available for under $40,000 manufacturer’s suggested retail price, with a driving range of more than 100 miles not including any incentives.

California’s transportation sector is the greatest contributor to climate and health-harming pollution in the state. It accounts for about 80 percent of ozone-forming pollution and approximately half of statewide climate pollution (those figures include pollution from transportation fuel production and delivery). California has long standing authority under the Clean Air Act to set protective vehicle emissions standards. A waiver provision in the Clean Air Act allows California to adopt standards that are at least as protective as federal standards to safeguard Californians against the unhealthy air pollution emitted by cars and trucks.

Tom Cackette testified on EDF’s behalf in favor of the new standards at today’s California Air Resources Board hearing. You can read his testimony here.

“California is expected to vote tomorrow on new standards to make all new cars and passenger trucks sold in the state zero-emitting by 2035, and the news media is already reporting on the widespread benefits we can expect. If California adopts the standards, and all its new vehicles are zero-emission, it will save thousands of lives, protect people’s heath and our climate from dangerous pollution, and save families more than $13,000 in gas costs over the life of their new car. That’s in addition to the huge savings people will get thanks to the Inflation Reduction Act – tax credits of $7500 for buying a new clean vehicle or $4000 for buying a used one. California’s plan would also help create a renaissance for American manufacturing, with thousands of good new jobs. If California approves its new clean car standards tomorrow it will speed the state, and our entire country, toward a safer and healthier future with no tailpipe pollution.”

            - Fred Krupp, president of Environmental Defense Fund

A new handbook published by Environmental Defense Fund provides new guidance and approaches for companies, airlines, policymakers and fuel producers to effectively advance the use of high-integrity sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) and support the decarbonization of flying. The High-Integrity SAF Handbook unveils innovative solutions to the sector’s most pressing challenges in transitioning from fossil jet fuel to cleaner fuels. 

Aviation is responsible for driving 3.5% of human-related climate change impacts. If it were a country, aviation would be one of the world’s top 10 emitters. SAF, which can be produced from a variety of sources, or ‘feedstocks’, could help fully decarbonize aviation by 2050. However, to deliver these climate benefits, SAF must be high-integrity—meaning it credibly reduces emissions, adheres to strong environmental and social safeguards, and is accurately accounted for to avoid double counting of emissions reductions. 

“If we take the right steps to advance the use of high-integrity SAF, it has incredible potential to change the nature of flight for the better,” said report author Pedro Piris-Cabezas, Director of Sustainable International Transport and Lead Senior Economist at Environmental Defense Fund. “This Handbook reveals a pathway to do just that. We can create a cleaner future of flight, without sacrificing ecosystems or communities, while cleaning up the air near airports. We can do all that by producing, investing in, purchasing and incentivizing high-integrity SAF.”  

While SAF has potential to reduce the climate impact of flying, there are many elements and obstacles to consider in order to ensure it delivers high-integrity climate, environmental and social benefits. It can be difficult for individual travelers, companies who rely on air transport, airlines, investors, and policymakers seeking to identify high-integrity SAF and leverage the new fuel in their climate strategies. 

One major consideration when deploying SAF  is the need to avoid causing indirect land-use changes (ILUC), meaning it does not divert edible crops or land used to grow food, and does not contribute to deforestation or habitat destruction. Preventing negative environmental and social consequences will also ensure a level playing field across SAF pathways that will help channel investments efficiently avoiding distortions. This will allow the emerging class of electrofuels produced from renewable electricity, water, and carbon dioxide, to compete on equal footing with bio-based SAFs. 

“We won’t solve our climate problems by producing SAF in ways that cause deforestation or divert land that is needed to grow food and feed. If we aren’t careful, we can do more harm than good,” said Piris-Cabezas. “By channeling investment to high-integrity SAF that delivers the highest emissions reductions, which would also be the most cost-effective way forward, we can benefit the climate, ecosystems and communities all at once.”  

Microsoft Corporation contributed to the handbook’s preface, outlining how the company intends to support high-integrity SAF in its own efforts to become carbon negative by 2030. The company has increased its internal Scope 3 business travel fee to $100 per mtCO2e to support the purchase of SAF, a price signal that will have the potential to unlock high-integrity SAF soon when paired with effective national policies. Microsoft has been a longtime leader in advancing SAF and has contributed actively to the thinking behind this handbook through fruitful cooperation with EDF since 2019.  

“There is increased corporate momentum on carbon reduction commitments. But for all that energy to help achieve climate stability effectively and transparently, we need to accelerate the maturation and adoption of industry standards for carbon accounting,” said Lucas Joppa, Chief Environment Officer, and Julia Fidler, Group Sustainability Manager, Procurement, with Microsoft Corporation, in a foreword to the handbook. “This handbook provides a solid foundation to help build a resilient sustainability and accounting framework for sustainable aviation fuels that can guide investment decisions while avoiding stranded assets and unintended consequences on ecosystems and people.” 

In addition to providing guidance for companies, the handbook also identifies three key opportunities for policymakers to support high-integrity SAF as a pathway toward net zero aviation:  

1. Policy should support the production of high-integrity SAF by ensuring only feedstocks with low indirect land-use change (ILUC) risk are eligible for financial support. A low ILUC risk means that producing SAF feedstock does not divert edible crops or land used to grow food, and does not contribute to deforestation or habitat destruction. By focusing on SAF produced sustainably, policymakers can ensure we achieve the greatest climate benefit while avoiding unintended consequences on ecosystems, communities or food systems.   

2. Policy should leverage financial support for high-integrity SAF that offers the highest emissions reductions. Not all SAF has the same potential to deliver strong climate benefits. For instance, electro-fuels generated with surplus renewable energy promise greater climate mitigation benefits than SAF produced using sustainable vegetable oils or wastes fats. Policymakers can and should ensure that investments are channeled to SAF that deliver the highest emissions reductions, as these will deliver the most cost-effective way forward.   

3. Policy can support processes to avoid double counting and make sure emissions reductions from SAF are accurately accounted for. Policymakers can prepare to properly account for SAF use and prevent double counting by supporting the development of robust and transparent registries. 

See the Handbook here.

(Washington, D.C. – August 17, 2022) Environmental Defense Fund filed letters yesterday in support of two Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) proposals that would bring greater transparency to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investing.  

“The SEC’s proposed standards will help meet investor interest in fuller understanding of available ESG offerings,” said Stephanie Jones, Attorney at EDF. “The SEC is properly exercising its longstanding authority to protect investors from misleading marketing of investment products.” 

As investor demand for ESG options has grown, so has investor interest in understanding with greater precision the ESG characteristics of products and services offered by funds and advisors. The SEC has proposed standards that would require funds and advisers that use ESG-related fund names and strategies to clarify their claims, which would better equip all investors to determine which funds align with their objectives.  

The SEC’s first proposal would bring ESG-related terms (like “sustainable” or “green”) within the scope of the Names Rule, which requires funds to ensure that at least 80% of their assets align with the investment characteristics suggested by the fund name. The SEC’s second proposal would require funds and advisers that claim to use ESG strategies to provide more information on how they incorporate ESG factors into decision-making.  

You can read EDF’s comments on the Names Rule proposal here and on the ESG disclosures proposal here.