Climate Change
Here Are All the Climate Actions Biden Took on Day One
As expected, the president signed executive orders to rejoin the Paris climate agreement and review Trump-era rollbacks
Stories by Jean Chemnick
Policy
Historic Picks for EPA, Interior Complete Biden Climate Team
The selections of Representative Deb Haaland and Michael Regan are seen as signs that environmental justice will be prioritized by the new administration
Policy
Biden Names John Kerry Climate Envoy
The appointment telegraphs the incoming administration considers climate change a key foreign policy concern
Climate Change
Biden Stocks Transition Teams with Climate Experts
The president-elect has included those with climate experience across a wide swath of federal agencies
Climate Change
China Says It Will Stop Releasing CO2 within 40 Years
The surprise announcement vaults the country ahead of U.S. climate ambitions and could encourage developing countries to follow suit
Climate Change
Trump Administration Completes Climate Dismantling with Methane Rollback
New rules provide laxer requirements for finding and repairing leaks of the potent greenhouse gas
Environment
Amazon Deforestation Falls Where Land Is under Indigenous Control
Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro’s government, meanwhile, has worked to erode Indigenous protections and ownership
Environment
Methane Cloud Sitting over U.S. Southwest Threatens Indigenous Residents
An EPA proposal to weaken pollution controls could make the ongoing threat worse
Climate Change
How a Biden Administration Could Reverse Trump’s Climate Legacy
The Clean Air Act would be a key avenue for pursuing more stringent emissions reductions
Policy
Soot Rule Thrusts EPA into Spotlight on Race
Air pollution disproportionately impacts minority communities, and proposed changes would stymie efforts to address the disparity
Climate Change
U.N. Postpones Global Climate Summit Over Pandemic Concerns
Countries were expected to ramp up their emissions reductions goals at the November meeting, now delayed until 2021
Environment
EPA to Ease Pollution Enforcement, Which Could Exacerbate Lung Illnesses
The agency says social distancing rules will limit companies’ abilities to comply with air pollution rules
Policy
Climate Change Once Again Left Out of Trump’s Federal Budget
The administration’s proposed spending for 2021 repeats previous calls for steep cuts to environmental programs
Policy
Trump Administration Moves to Limit Climate Reviews for Federal Projects
The changes would underestimate the true contributions to global warming of fossil fuel infrastructure and other projects
Climate Change
As Fires Rage, Australia Pushes to Emit More Carbon
Critics say a loophole in carbon accounting undermines the Paris Agreement to limit global warming
Climate Change
U.N. Climate Talks Limp to a Disappointing Close
Lethargic, inconclusive negotiations on matters like carbon trading contrasted with fervent protests on the streets outside
Climate Change
Climate Talks Kick Off: Here Is What’s at Stake
Negotiators need to iron out rules on carbon trading and compensation for climate-related damage
Policy
Trump Administration Officially Begins Paris Climate Accord Exit
The U.S. will officially leave the landmark agreement the day after the 2020 presidential election
Climate Change
Formal U.S. Withdrawal from Paris Climate Agreement Looms
The Trump administration is expected to notify the U.N. on Nov. 4, leaving the pact a year later, after the U.S. election
Policy
Global Promises to Reduce CO2 Are Falling Short of 1.5-Degree-C Warming Goal
U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres is trying to push countries to ratchet up their emissions reduction efforts
