On appeal of a strike out decision, the Court gives the plaintiff “his day in court” to argue that corporates owe a common law duty of care in tort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
By Sophie J. Lamb KC and Stephanie Forrest
On 7 February 2024, the Supreme Court of New Zealand decided to allow
This case will be stare decisis for using the courts to suppress a debate about scientists.
While U.S. EPA is poised to issue a series of federal regulations related to PFAS and impacts to the environment, it is the states that are taking the lead on regulating the presence of Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in consumer products. Such regulations are forcing manufacturers to reach back into their supply chains to
State and federal officials move forward plans and policies for water conservation, conveyance, and climate resilience.
By Michael G. Romey, Lucas I. Quass, John Detrich, Cody M. Kermanian, and Julie Miles
The winter of 2022-23 brought historic levels of precipitation to California after years of deep drought, dwindling reservoirs, and groundwater depletion. In the first quarter of 2023, most of the state received rainfall exceeding historic averages, with some areas experiencing 200%, or even 300% of average levels. According to the US Drought Monitor, the state is currently drought-free, although some regions are still considered abnormally dry. Despite heavy precipitation over the past year, California’s drought resilience remains in question, as critical infrastructure projects face staunch opposition and climate change increases the likelihood of extreme and prolonged droughts. Regulators and water managers had a busy 2023 as they grappled with persistently low groundwater levels, planned for additional water storage and conveyance, and continued to advance water conservation initiatives.
This blog post summarizes key actions taken by state and federal officials in 2023 with respect to California’s water supply and provides an outlook for 2024.
EPA’s plans to investigate – and eventually establish limits on and liability for – PFAS in wastewater discharges and biosolids crossed a significant milestone on January 31, 2024, with the completion of two new analytical methods to detect these ubiquitous contaminants. The most significant of the two is Method 1633, which provides a standardized quantitative method for laboratories to detect 40 different PFAS compounds, at very low levels, in wastewater, surface water, groundwater, soil, biosolids, sediment, landfill leachate, and fish tissue. Method 1621 is a low-cost screening method for the presence of fluorine-containing organic compounds, which could lead to use of the more sensitive Method 1633 to further characterize any PFAS in the sample. EPA’s public statements provide no timeline for seeking approval of these methods for PFAS monitoring of wastewater discharges as part of 40 C.F.R. Part 136, but a Method Update Rule is likely to be proposed before the end of the year.
EPA has big plans for the PFAS data that these two new methods will generate.
On February 1, Russell Reynolds Associates and the Paul, Weiss ESG and Law Institute hosted a senior level luncheon discussion on “The Evolving Nature of Sustainability Through AI” in person at Russell Reynold’s New York office.
The program featured insights from over 30 senior AI, sustainability, risk, compliance and legal personnel who shared their expertise
Governor Kathy Hochul’s Executive Budget proposal (the Transportation, Economic Development, and Environmental Conservation budget bill (A.8808/S.8308)) includes two pivotal energy proposals: the Renewable Action Through Project Interconnection and Deployment Act and the Affordable Gas Transition Act. The Governor is seeking to advance the achievement of the ambitious emissions reduction and renewable energy procurement mandates set
On 5 February 2024, the Council of the EU and the European Parliament reached a provisional agreement for a regulation on ESG rating activities (the “Proposed EU Regulation“). The Proposed EU Regulation differs in certain respects from the version that was agreed upon by the Council of the EU in December 2023.
The
Our mini Q&A series followed COP28, providing you with a quick and easy way to see how the discussions evolved. Our coverage highlighted significant and recent developments from a legal perspective, allowing you to assess the impact of these on your business.
View the mini Q&A series at Mayerbrown.com.
Yesterday, EPA finalized a rule lowering the primary annual National Ambient Air Quality Standard for PM2.5 to 9.00 ug/m3. This is a significant reduction from the current 12.00 ug/m3 standard and a victory for environmentalists, even though they had advocated for larger reduction.
There is substantial evidence supporting the reduction, both in the legal and
