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By Michael Zimmerman  A new study by Black & Veatch, commissioned by Environmental Defense Fund, provides further evidence that proactive grid investments don’t just help electric vehicles get on the road — they can save utility ratepayers money.  As EDF and many others have pointed out, traditional grid planning and investment processes were not designed …

As we approach the United Nations climate talks, COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, UN agencies have published several reports highlighting both our progress to-date and the gaps in global climate action. The findings are concerning, but unsurprising: countries’ current climate plans, called Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), have a long way to go.   To keep global …

  Fear, uncertainty and doubt are frequently-used tools to undermine environmental policy. For decades, polluters and their sympathizers rejected the existence of climate change. Now, they say climate action costs too much. This recurring argument ignores the costs working Californians are already facing from a changing climate and the clear benefits of California’s climate policy …

Insurance rates are on the rise while extreme weather driven by climate change is making insurance even more vital. Here's why that's happening and what it means for you.

Report includes recommendations for negotiators to enhance concessionality, accessibility, and impact in the NCQG

This blog was authored by Peter Tufano, Baker Foundation Professor at Harvard Business School and Senior Advisor to the Harvard Salata Institute for Climate and Sustainability, with support from the Environmental Defense Fund, including Andrew Howell, Senior Director for Sustainable Finance.  Any references below do not constitute an endorsement of the firms or products mentioned.   …

The UNEP Emissions Gap Report 2024 presents stark findings on the state of global climate action. Current pledges would only reduce emissions 4-10% below 2019 levels by 2030 – far short of the 42% reduction needed to limit warming to 1.5°C. These gaps are corroborated by the Nationally determined contributions under the Paris Agreement Synthesis …

Home insurance costs are on the rise. Here's what that means for you.

Washington state’s cap-and-invest program, created in the 2021 Climate Commitment Act (CCA), is nearing the end of its second year and has already raised over $2 billion for communities by putting a price on pollution. The program is a win-win for climate action and for communities: It creates a powerful economic incentive for companies across …

The hydrogen economy is rapidly emerging as a cornerstone of global decarbonization.

Among the largest contributors to climate change is transportation, the largest source of U.S. emissions, and medium- and heavy-duty vehicles have an outsized impact.

IMO member states increasingly support an economic measure to incentivize emissions reductions from the shipping sector

Authors: Erin Leonard and Maggie Monast With more than 80 times the warming power of carbon dioxide over the first 20 years after its release, methane is one of the most potent greenhouse gasses. One major contributor to global methane is livestock operations — 32% of methane emissions from human activity come from livestock and …

EDF statement on the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) issuing its finalized guidance for regulated exchanges listing carbon credit-based derivatives.

High-integrity carbon credits will require improved measurement, reporting and verification for livestock methane, and stronger environmental and social pr

The journey toward a clean energy economy is complex and filled with technical, economic, and social challenges. Electricity models are key tools for driving this transformation, providing precision and insight into the potential outcomes of energy policies and technological shifts. At the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), we are working to make these tools more accessible …

As companies adopt new tools to cut livestock methane emissions, there’s an opportunity for investors to lean in.

As companies adopt new tools to cut livestock methane emissions, there’s an opportunity for investors to lean in.

Coal production is a major source of methane emissions – and investors in coal and downstream sectors like steel have a role to play in cleaning it up.

This blog was authored by Talley Burley, Manager, Climate Risk & Insurance; Carolyn Kousky, Associate Vice President for Economics and Policy; and Leslie Labruto, Managing Director, Sustainable Finance.  This is the first in a multi-part series on how insurers can support the energy transition. The series will explore opportunities and challenges and highlight emerging insurance …

In-depth cover crop financial data from 141 Minnesota and Wisconsin farms informs farmers’ cover crop decisions.

As farmers grapple with severe weather conditions, it's crucial to support them in implementing climate-smart agriculture practices that can bolster the resilience of their operations.

  Extreme weather caused by climate change is a threat to human health and safety, but it is also increasingly the cause of serious economic disruptions. And in the transition to a lower carbon economy, companies are navigating both opportunities and challenges. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) recently adopted a rule to better equip …

Results of the latest Western Climate Initiative (WCI) auction were released today. While the auction sold out for the 16th consecutive time, a decline in the settlement price indicates potential market uncertainty about the cap-and-trade program’s design in the future. This auction is expected to generate roughly $950 million for the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund …

This blog was authored by Brigitte Castañeda and Minwoo Hyun, former EDF Doctoral Interns, Raphael Heffron, Professor at the Universite de Pau et des Pays de l’Adour, and by Environmental Defense Fund economist, Luis Fernández Intriago. As temperatures rise globally, the energy sector stands clearly accountable, putting a critical spotlight on the need for a …