Energy Efficiency

61 posts

A Missed Opportunity to Decarbonize Municipal & Nonprofit Buildings: Section 179D Tax Deduction

Two years into the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the several tax credits that are eligible for “elective pay” are starting to catalyze investment in renewable energy, electric vehicles, and EV charging by nontaxable entities like local governments and nonprofit organizations. Slower to develop is a robust, cohesive response by nontaxable […]

Cities Climate Law: A Legal Framework for Local Action in the U.S. Offers Guide for Local Policymakers

Cities around the U.S. have long demonstrated leadership on climate change, with more than 170 of them having set targets to phase out fossil energy and many others committing to net zero greenhouse gas emissions. American cities, towns, counties, and other forms of local government have pioneered path-setting approaches to economy-wide […]

Measuring the Carbon Footprint of Flying First Class

By Yan Gu, Summer Intern and Masters in Climate & Society Student Along with the automobile industry, the aviation industry has recently been more closely concerned with climate change than ever before. On a global scale, however, the soaring number of flights is counteracting the industry’s efforts to increase aircraft […]

Implications of a Revised, Higher Estimate of the Social Cost of Carbon

By Ifeoma Anunkor, Summer Legal Intern Carbon pollution harms the economy much more than the federal government previously estimated, according to the Interagency Working Group on Social Cost of Carbon. While researchers continue to look for ways to reduce carbon emissions without harming the economy, the new guidance on the […]

International Energy Agency Releases New Climate Report with Four Policy Recommendations

by Fiona Kinniburgh On June 10th, the International Energy Agency (IEA) released a World Energy Outlook Special Report, “Redrawing the Energy-Climate Map” in which they seek to bring climate change back to the forefront of policy agendas worldwide.  The report proposes specific changes within the energy sector necessary to achieve […]

The new Spanish Law for the protection (or not?) of the coast against the effects of climate change

Teresa Parejo Professor of Law Universidad Carlos III de Madrid (Spain) Spain has recently adopted a potentially promising reform to its coastal law to update it in response to climate change threats. However, a close read suggests that the reform contains contradictions that illuminate a less-public minded purpose behind the […]