When building occupants are put on an energy diet will charging smartphones be banned from the office?
Unplugged Truth: Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Charging Your Smartphone
Biden Expands Consideration of Social Cost of Carbon by Federal Agencies
On September 21, 2023, the Biden administration outlined plans to expand federal agencies’ consideration of the social cost of carbon—a metric for the economic cost of each additional ton of carbon dioxide emitted to the atmosphere. This announcement tilts the balance of cost-benefit analyses in favor of activities that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and it
Third District Affirms Judgment Denying CEQA Writ Petition Challenging Sacramento County’s Approval of Mather South Community Master Plan, Issues Narrow Holding Rejecting Challenges to County’s GHG Thresholds Methodology In Partially Published Opinion
In a partially published opinion filed on September 7, 2023, the Third District Court of Appeal affirmed a judgment denying a CEQA challenge to Sacramento County’s approval of a mixed-use development project known as the Mather South Community Master Plan (the “project“); if implemented, the project would result in, inter alia, up to 3,522 residential
Michigan AG Brings PFAS Lawsuit Against the Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority
Michigan Attorney General (AG) Dana Nessel has filed suit against the Gerald R. Ford International Airport Authority to enforce demands by the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) related to alleged per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS) contamination of the regional drinking water supply caused by the airport authority.
CPSC Collecting Data on PFAS in Consumer Products
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is initiating a wide-ranging data collection effort on the use and presence of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in consumer products. As detailed in a September 30 Federal Register Notice and Request for Information (“ROI”), CPSC is requesting public comments by November 30, 2023. The information could provide the
New York City Planning Commission Approves Zoning Changes Supporting City’s Climate Goals
On Sept. 11, 2023, the City Planning Commission approved amendments to the New York City Zoning Resolution, called “City of Yes for Carbon Neutrality,” proposed by Mayor Adams’ administration to advance the city’s climate goals, including an 80% reduction in carbon emissions by 2050. The changes are designed to support a renewable energy grid, make
Coming Soon: California Climate Disclosure Bills
California Governor Gavin Newsom recently pledged to sign two groundbreaking climate disclosure bills into law. These bills will mandate most large U.S. companies to reveal their complete emissions along their value chains and report on their financial risks and adaptation measures related to climate change.
The California Senate bills, SB 253 (“Climate Corporate Data Accountability
New lawsuit filed by Brazil’s Federal Government further strengthens climate litigation trends against private entities in Brazil
On 12 September 2023, Brazil´s Attorney General Office, representing the Brazilian Federal Environmental Agency, filed a climate litigation lawsuit against a livestock farmer, seeking compensation for the deforestation of the Amazon Forest between 2003 and 2016.
This blog post provides a brief overview on this new lawsuit, which further strengthens a new trend for climate
UK rolls back “net zero” ambitions, carbon offsets face renewed attack and the spotlight falls (again) on policing carbon markets
UK Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, has announced a major U-turn on the UK’s “net zero” policies. This amounts to 3 key policy changes:
- Electric vehicles – 3 years after announcing a ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel vehicles from 2030, the ban has been delayed to 2035;
- New exceptions to ban on
Australian Competition and Consumer Commission Adopts Tougher Stance on Greenwashing
The ACCC sets out best marketing practices and companies’ obligations under the Australian Consumer Law, including strict penalties that may follow.
By Paul A. Davies, Sophie J. Lamb KC, Michael D. Green, James Bee, and Aleksandra Dulska
In July 2023, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) published draft guidance (Draft