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Aerial view of the National Petroleum Reserve in northwestern Alaska

The Biden Administration Protects Millions of Acres of Arctic Alaska

Latest NewsAlaskaJenny Shalant
The new Special Areas Rule in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska could boost biodiversity and empower Indigenous Peoples to defend the lands they’ve relied on for generations.
Two adults and a child walk along a sandy shoreline

“Forever Chemicals” Called PFAS Show Up in Your Food, Clothes, and Home

ExplainerUnited StatesMolly M. Ginty, Courtney Lindwall
These toxic chemicals are so common in consumer products and manufacturing that they’re everywhere—including inside our bodies.
A river with green trees on either side, with yellow hills in the background

In Planning for Climate Change, Native Americans Draw on the Past

ExplainerUnited States, CanadaTim Vanderpool
Across North America, Indigenous tribes and nations are consulting their traditional ecological knowledge to help prepare for a warming world.

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Driving Ambition, Action, and Equity at COP28: Part 1

Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Jake Schmidt, Brendan Guy, Joe Thwaites, Jennifer Skene
World leaders in Dubai sent a clear signal: the end of the fossil fuel era has begun, and the world is rapidly transitioning to a clean energy economy. This helps put the world on a firmer pathway in this decisive…

Biggest Grid Operator Can Curb Carbon and Keep Lights On

Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Amanda Levin
A new analysis finds that the nation’s largest grid operator, PJM, can keep our air conditioner and heaters running while meeting EPA’s power plant carbon pollution standards – even during the hottest and coldest weeks. What’s more, they can do…

Unrealistic Assumptions Yield Unrealistic Results

Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Amanda Levin
A new analysis from the EFI Foundation, examining the Environmental Protection Agency’s carbon standards for power plants, ignores a key aspect of the rule: flexibility. EPA’s proposed standards are centered on flexibility, offering states and power plant multiple tools and…

Strengthen Power Plant Carbon Standards for Greater Climate Benefit

Expert BlogWashington, D.C.Amanda Levin, Sophia Ahmed
Power plants have operated without accountability for their carbon emissions for too long. The proposal represents a good first step, however, the EPA should seize the opportunity to strengthen the standards in both scope and speed. This approach will help…

China’s Climate Progress Ahead of COP27

Expert BlogChinaAlvin Lin

China’s efforts to shift to a new energy system and meet its 2030 climate goals can boost both energy security and climate security.

Promoting Provincial Coal Power Transition Pathways in China

Expert BlogChinaAlvin Lin

New research by NRDC and the Peking University (PKU) Institute of Energy sheds light on the critical role that Chinese provinces can play in phasing out coal power and meeting national targets for carbon peaking and neutrality. 

China’s Top Industries Can Peak Collective Emissions in 2025

Expert BlogChinaJake Schmidt
Joint research by NRDC and Chinese Academy of Environmental Planning (CAEP) finds that China’s top coal-consuming sectors—power, steel, cement, and coal-chemicals—can collectively peak both coal consumption and carbon dioxide emissions in 2025.

China Announces It Will Not Build New Coal Plants Abroad

Expert BlogChinaAlvin Lin, Jake Schmidt

China’s new announcement has the potential to help promote a clean energy revolution around the world by sending an important signal that China will immediately shift its support for overseas coal power plant projects to work with developing countries to…

China Can Meet Energy and Climate Goals Capping Coal Power

Expert BlogChinaAlvin Lin

New research by NRDC and the North China Electric Power University finds that by capping installed coal power capacity at 1,100 GW over the coming 14th Five-Year-Plan period, China can both guarantee its energy security and remain on track to…

China Commits to Strictly Control and Phase Down Coal

Expert BlogChinaAlvin Lin
At the Leaders’ Summit on Climate, President Xi reiterated China’s commitment to climate action, including by strengthening its efforts to cap and bring down its coal consumption and to transition decisively from coal.

Fossils and Nukes: The Downsides to Congress’ Latest Actions

Expert BlogUnited States, Washington, D.C.Josh Axelrod, Geoffrey H. Fettus
With the passage of significant energy and climate legislation as part of an end-of-year spending package, Congress cobbled together legislation with both major climate wins (including the phase-down of HFCs) and problematic handouts for the fossil fuel industry and dangerous…

EPA Declines to Limit Deadly Soot Air Pollution

Expert BlogUnited States, Washington, D.C.Emily Davis, John Walke, Dr. Vijay Limaye
On its way out the door, the Trump Administration undermines the Clean Air Act and public health in a profound way.