New York City’s latest proposal to adjust its pension fund investment strategy reflects a broader institutional pivot toward long-term sustainability and climate resilience. Comptroller Brad Lander has introduced a measure...more
Regulatory Updates - There have been a couple of noteworthy developments in recent weeks concerning the mandatory climate disclosure regime enacted by California. These developments relate to SB 253 and SB 261, which...more
The last several weeks of unexpected and unprecedented political events have thrown even more confusion into the presidential election. While the outcome of a now Harris-versus-Trump race is maybe even more uncertain, we do...more
Regulatory Updates - Governor Newsom (D-CA) recently proposed a two-year delay to California’s sweeping new mandatory climate disclosures, which apply to all large companies—public or private—doing business in California....more
The 28th United Nations (U.N.) Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP28) wrapped up in Dubai in mid-December 2023. This Article summarizes key takeaways and describes the potential implications for businesses and...more
COP28 - December 13, 2023 Recap - The COP28 Presidency announced early Wednesday that nearly 200 countries had reached an agreement on the text of the Global Stocktake (GST) after two weeks of contentious debate....more
COP28 - December 11, 2023 Recap - The COP28 Presidency released the draft text of the global stocktake (GST), the agreement that will establish a path for nations to meet Paris Agreement targets, as the COP28 conference...more
COP28 President Sultan Al-Jaber convened a small group discussion on Sunday to discuss outstanding issues on adaptation and equitable transitions ahead of updated draft texts. A new round of draft texts is expected on Monday...more
The Canadian Federal Government's Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act, now entering its fifth year since enactment, presents unique challenges and opportunities for farmers, greenhouse operators, and fishermen. As key...more
House Approves Republican Energy Package - Four Democrats joined with all Republicans to approve, in a 225-204 vote, a massive House energy bill on March 30. While the bill will almost certainly not advance in the Senate,...more
In the closing weeks of 2022, the California Air Resources Board (“CARB” or “Board”) approved its final 2022 Scoping Plan, which sets forth a detailed roadmap to accelerate the reduction of greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions in...more
A Note from the Editors - Energy & Sustainability Connections brings the latest developments in energy investing, legal insights, company activity, and industry events straight to your inbox...more
Climate Change Litigation: Beginning in 2017, an array of state and local governments began pursuing claims against major fossil fuel producers — particularly the major oil companies (Chevron, Exxon, BP, Shell, and...more
The first half of 2022 saw significant U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) enforcement and rulemaking activity around environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investing. In its regulation of ESG investing, the...more
Climate Change Tort Litigation - Beginning in 2017, an array of state and local governments have pursued claims against major fossil fuel producers — particularly the major oil companies (Chevron, Exxon, BP, Shell, and...more
Introduction - The UK’s Energy Security Bill, first promised in 2021 and introduced to Parliament on 6 July 2022, contains a wide variety of measures which the UK Government claims will address the energy trilemma of...more
The European Parliament has now "endorsed labeling some gas and nuclear energy projects as 'green.'" This designation will now enable these energy projects to have "access to hundreds of billions of euros in cheap loans and...more
Divisional Court split on challenge against UK Export Finance’s decision to provide finance to the Mozambique LNG Project - In R (on the application of Friends of the Earth Limited) (the “Claimant”) v The Secretary of...more
Last week, AIG significantly restricted its underwriting of and investment in fossil fuel projects. Specifically, it announced the following actions: With immediate effect, committed to no longer invest in or provide...more
The Maryland State Senate introduced a bill that will prohibit all new buildings from using natural gas or heating oil beginning in 2023, as well as place other restrictions on replacing heating systems in older buildings. If...more
Under the Biden Administration, environmental sustainability as a means to combat climate change has been thrust into the spotlight as an emerging national imperative. This was made clear through President Joe Biden's...more
As the real-life consequences of climate change accelerate and become more pronounced, so does the need for businesses and government entities to consider various practical effects. Corporations are facing significant...more
Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT) announced this week that it is establishing a microgrid to supply power at the airport, connected to the main electrical power grid in case of emergency but otherwise separate from it. ...more