As we’ve discussed before, multiple cities and towns in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts have tried to ban fossil fuel hookups for new buildings by zoning or other ordinance over the past few years. But in July 2020, the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Municipal Law Unit struck down the first such ban that came across its
China issues first ESG disclosure guidance: international guidelines with Chinese characteristics
**A Chinese version of this blog post follows the English version.**
China’s State Council-backed think tank, China Enterprise Reform and Development Society (“CERDS“), alongside a number of major Chinese companies including Ping An Insurance Company, issued “The Guidance for Enterprise ESG Disclosure” effective on 1 June 2022 (“Guidance“). The Guidance is China’s first ESG disclosure guideline, and covers all companies and industries. It follows the environmental disclosure rules issued by China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) which came into effect earlier in February 2022 (which we reported here).
CDC Eases COVID-19 Guidelines
By Adam R. Young, Melissa A. Ortega, A. Scott Hecker, James L. Curtis, Brent I. Clark, Benjamin D. Briggs, Patrick D. Joyce, and Craig B. Simonsen
Seyfarth Synopsis: On August 11, 2022, the CDC, through a press release, eased its COVID-19 guidance to “help us move to a point
Verra Announces Public Consultation on Proposed Approach to Third-Party Crypto Instruments and Tokens
A major voluntary carbon standard invites comments on linking carbon credits with crypto instruments and tokens, highlighting emerging questions around blockchain transactions in voluntary carbon markets.
By JP Brisson, Michael Dreibelbis, Brett Frazer, and Nick Eberhart
On August 3, 2022, Verra, a voluntary carbon standard, announced it was opening a public consultation process on its proposed approach to third-party crypto instruments and tokens.[1] The 60-day consultation began on August 3 and will close on October 2, 2022.
Services Issue Final Rules Rescinding Trump-Era Habitat Definition and Critical Habitat Exclusion Rules
On June 24, the Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) (together, the Services) issued a final rule that removes the definition of “habitat” from the Code of Federal Regulations, 50 C.F.R. § 424.02. The final rule follows the FWS’ proposal issued on October 27, 2021; the definition the agencies are now removing was adopted during the last months of the Trump administration.
NEPA Is Indeed Posing a Really Big Obstacle to Coal Mining On Public Lands
On Friday, I posted about a decision invalidating BLM Resource Manage Plans for failure to comply with NEPA. My caption was “NEPA Is Still Going to Pose an Obstacle to Leasing Public Lands for Fossil Fuel Extraction.” Little did I know how prescient I was, because later on Friday, Judge Brian Morris – the same
OSHA Recommends a Safety and Health Management System — Does Your Business Need One?
By Adam R. Young, Mark A. Lies, II, Brent I. Clark, and Craig B. Simonsen
Seyfarth Synopsis: Safety and health management systems (SHMSs) may demonstrate a commitment to improving safety and health outcomes, and reduce legal liabilities.
The federal OSHA standards mandate a series of written safety and health programs, depending
Australia’s Financial Services Council issues new guidelines on climate risk disclosure for asset managers
On 3 August 2022, Australia’s Financial Services Council (“FSC“) published FSC Guidance Note No 44 Climate Risk Disclosure in Investment Management (“Guidance Note”) to provide a set of common baseline expectations for the investment management industry’s approach with respect to net-zero commitments, disclosure of climate-friendly investment features and climate change risk reporting.
Webinar: Are You Ready to Measure and Report Your Building GHG Emissions?
Join us for our GHG webinar this Tuesday, August 16 from 9 to 10 am EST
How the Inflation Reduction Act May Impact the Renewable Energy Industry
This GT Alert outlines how the Inflation Reduction Act, which the House passed Aug. 12 and now heads to the president’s desk, would apply to the renewable energy industry.