Environment: Page 2

How the 2020 election could impact the waste and recycling industry

The outcome could affect major issues like climate change, PFAS, taxes, M&A, recycling policies and more. 

By E.A. Crunden • Nov. 02, 2020

NYC strengthens Climate Mobilization Act building requirements

Buildings with less than 35% of units under rent regulation will be required to comply with the act's emissions limits and not pass the costs to tenants, following a Thursday city council vote.

By Chris Teale • Oct. 30, 2020

Green stimulus could create $280B in economic benefits: C40

The C40 Global Mayors Recovery Task Force said investing relief money in solutions to fight climate change could prevent 270,000 premature deaths globally and create over 6 million jobs in the U.S. alone.

By Chris Teale • Oct. 28, 2020

10 statewide ballot measures to watch: results

Of the 10 ballot initiatives identified last week as "measures to watch," only one — a rent control initiative in California — failed at the polls.

By Kristin Musulin , Chris Teale , Cailin Crowe • UPDATED: Nov. 4, 2020 at 4:47 p.m.

Deep Dive

Ballot billions: Behind the efforts to fund and finance climate action

In a year that virtually depleted municipal budgets, ballot-derived tax and funding measures can be crucial to support city-level climate action. Outside of these measures, how else can cities secure cash?

By Kristin Musulin , Chris Teale , Cailin Crowe • Oct. 27, 2020

Cities' GHG emissions reduction efforts, by the numbers

A new Brookings report assessed the nation's many climate action plans to check if cities are meeting their emissions reduction commitments.

By Kristin Musulin • Oct. 23, 2020

Lime, WWF partner to promote clean transportation

The micromobility giant and conservation leader will run joint education and advocacy campaigns in a bid to enhance mobility options and safer streets.

By Chris Teale • Oct. 22, 2020

Sponsored by #forestproud

A climate solution hidden in plain sight

Hillsboro, OR opened the doors to a new community center this month that provides both critical infrastructure and a powerful climate solution.

Albuquerque, NM breaks ground on 50 MW solar field on tribal lands

The array, through a partnership with utility PNM and the Jicarilla Apache Nation, will help the city get 88% of its electricity from renewable energy by the end of 2021.

By Chris Teale • Oct. 16, 2020

Weaving earthquake risk into city resiliency plans

All U.S. communities, even those outside California, should consider earthquakes when planning and building infrastructure, said UCLA professor Scott Brandenberg.

By Adina Solomon • UPDATED: Dec. 2, 2020 at 12:20 p.m.

Hyundai, UNDP launch 'for Tomorrow' campaign to support sustainable cities

The inaugural platform will crowdsource innovations to help achieve UN Sustainable Development Goal 11, which focuses on building safe, resilient and sustainable cities. 

By Kristin Musulin • Oct. 09, 2020

Elected officials urge automakers to support cleaner cars

The Clean Cars Declaration, signed by more than 200 elected officials, called on manufacturers to drop their support for the Trump administration’s rollback of clean car standards.

By Chris Teale • Oct. 08, 2020

Reloop looks to shake up circular economy policy progress

Elizabeth Balkan, formerly of the Natural Resources Defense Council and New York's Department of Sanitation, is leading the global platform's effort to support changes around packaging and recycling at all levels of government.

By Cole Rosengren • Oct. 08, 2020

NYC 'leapfrogs' to top of ACEEE clean energy scorecard

While many leading U.S. cities are boosting their efforts to achieve a clean energy future, more action will be needed from "lower-ranking" cities to truly move the needle nationally.

By Kristin Musulin • Oct. 06, 2020

Boston issues RFP for first urban forest plan

Mayor Marty Walsh said the 20-year plan will set tree canopy protection goals, respond to the challenges of climate change and improve quality of life. 

By Chris Teale • Oct. 05, 2020

Pittsburgh mayor: To push a green economy, speak to citizens' pocketbooks

In a Climate Mayors webinar on Thursday, mayors in the Ohio Valley region said people whose jobs rely on fossil fuels must not be left behind.

By Chris Teale • Oct. 02, 2020

Google's EIE tool helps cities realize carbon-reduction potential

The urgency of climate action begs local-level officials to use available data tools and bypass traditional planning constraints, leaders said on a webinar.

By Kristin Musulin • Oct. 01, 2020

Bay Area mayors push back on remote work strategy

San Francisco Mayor London Breed and San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo said they “cannot support” the proposal amid concerns about the vitality of downtown economies.

By Chris Teale • UPDATED: Oct. 16, 2020 at 8:55 a.m.

Opinion

P3s hold the key to a clean energy future post-COVID

Making climate progress is still within our grasp, but the critical first step is to recognize the perks of collaboration, and then to reach across the aisle. 

By Bill Prindle • Sept. 25, 2020

Houston sets its sights on a more equitable park system

The city is hoping to rewrite its history of "White public space" with greenspace investments in all communities, regardless of income level.

By Adina Solomon • Sept. 24, 2020

California mandates all new passenger vehicle sales be zero-emission by 2035

The goal could reduce the state's greenhouse gas emissions over 35% from cars statewide, fast tracking California's climate goals as the state grapples with a series of destructive wildfires. 

By Kavya Balaraman • Sept. 24, 2020

Mapping app uses air quality data to show local impacts

Air Quality Aware taps into data from entities including the EPA and U.S. Census Bureau to show current and future air quality and insights on vulnerable populations. 

By Chris Teale • Sept. 23, 2020

House passes massive clean energy bill amid Trump veto threat

The House passed its Clean Economy Jobs and Innovation Act on Thursday, though the White House earlier this week indicated the president was likely to veto the bill, despite support in the Senate.

By Catherine Morehouse • UPDATED: Sept. 25, 2020 at 9:14 a.m.

12 major cities pledge fossil fuel divestment

The C40 Cities-backed declaration "sends a huge signal to the marketplace" that governments are prioritizing a green COVID-19 recovery, said NYC climate advisor Dan Zarrilli.

By Kristin Musulin • Sept. 22, 2020

Transition to EVs could save $72B in health costs: American Lung Association

Widespread EV adoption and the resulting emission reductions could prevent more than 6,000 premature deaths in 2050, according to the organization.

By Chris Teale • Sept. 15, 2020