Washington, DC – Today, the Biden Administration announced a new target for the United States to achieve a 61-66 percent reduction from 2005 levels in economy-wide net greenhouse gas pollution in 2035. The emissions target – known as the “nationally determined contribution” or “NDC,” is a formal submission to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
In response to today’s announcement, Sierra Club Executive Director Ben Jealous released the following statement:
Montpelier, VT – Late yesterday, S.259, a bill passed in the Vermont legislature that would allow the state to recover billions from fossil fuel companies to cover costs related to the impacts of climate change, became law. The measure, supported by the Sierra Club’s Vermont chapter and local environmental leaders, is the first-ever so-called “climate superfund” bill in the nation to become law.
Salt Lake City, UT – In a major win for public health and the climate, yesterday the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) finalized standards that will slash air, water, and carbon pollution from power plants to address their deadly and dangerous emissions.
Washington, DC – Tom Suozzi has been re-elected to the U.S. House, winning last night’s special election to represent the people of New York’s Third Congressional District. Sierra Club endorsed Suozzi and our local group leaders actively mobilized Sierra Club members in this critical race.
Washington, DC – Today, the International Energy Agency (IEA) released its annual electricity market report that shows low emissions energy sources will account for almost half of the world’s electricity generation by 2026, up from 39% in 2023.
Dubai, UAE – Today, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change’s Conference of the Parties to the Convention (COP28) in Dubai came to a close, with parties agreeing to final language that includes an unprecedented call for a transition away from fossil fuels.
The agreement was reached after marathon negotiations continued through the night, extending the conference past its scheduled end date.
Dubai, UAE – Today, a delegation of Republican members of Congress is scheduled to arrive in Dubai for COP28. As negotiations among the 199 member countries continue, it is unclear what role the members of Congress might play in the conference. Their voting records and public campaign finance data showing close ties to the fossil fuel industry raise even further questions.
Washington, DC – In 10 days, charged with charting a path forward to avoid the worst effects of the climate crisis, global leaders will convene in Dubai for the United Nations Conference of Parties (COP) 28. At COP21, world leaders made history by agreeing to a treaty aimed at holding global average temperature well below two degrees celsius above pre-industrial levels.
Washington, DC – Today, the White House released the Fifth National Climate Assessment (NCA5) that shows the climate crisis is upon us and impacting every community and person across the country. Since the NCA4 in 2018, improvements in scientific research have made even clearer the impact of our greenhouse gas emissions on global warming and the linkage between extreme weather disasters and climate change.
HARRISBURG -- Today, in a divided decision, the Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court ruled against the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI), and preventing the Department of Environmental Protection from enforcing the rule.
Washington, DC – Today, more than three weeks after the position was vacated, Republicans in the House of Representatives elected Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) as the 56th Speaker of the House.
The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) announced funding awards for seven hydrogen hubs across the country this morning. President Biden is expected to share additional details during remarks in Philadelphia today, at the site of the Mid-Atlantic hub.