Clean Air Task Force

U.S. raises ambition in updated Nationally Determined Contribution, announcing a new climate target for the U.S. to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 2035 and including, for the first time, an expected reduction in #methane emissions. Calling out methane specifically in the updated Nationally Determined Contribution sends a strong signal to other countries about the immense opportunity in reducing methane pollution and meeting the commitments of the #GlobalMethanePledge. Read our statement: https://lnkd.in/eQDgTkDE

“This announcement shows that fusion is no longer a far-off dream—it’s becoming a reality.” CATF's Sehila M Gonzalez de Vicente comments on the recent announcement that #Virginia will host the world's first commercial #fusion plant. The announcement is a critical step forward for fusion technology deployment, establishing it as a key zero-carbon solution for the energy transition. https://lnkd.in/e2MVGQRW 

#COP29 saw new commitments, partnerships, and funding that build on the momentum of the #GlobalMethanePledge. Explore CATF's impact, the major outcomes, how we can turn commitments into tangible action, and how new tools and regulatory efforts will help solidify global progress toward reducing methane pollution from the energy, waste, and agriculture sectors. https://lnkd.in/eRMn5iMC

In a letter welcoming Commissioner Jørgensen as Commissioner for Energy and Housing, climate and environmental CSOs illustrate how reducing methane emissions can support the EU’s clean energy transition, climate targets, and energy security. The letter recommends: 1️⃣ Increasing European Commission’s political & technical support on methane to Member States  2️⃣ Steering ambitious finalisation of the Methane Regulation’s import standards  3️⃣ Incentivising proactive methane emissions reductions with trading partners Read the letter here: https://lnkd.in/g9nr7FWA 2Celsius | Amici della Terra | Clean Air Task Force | Deutsche Umwelthilfe | Environmental Defense Fund | Environmental Investigation Agency | Fundación Renovables | Instrat Foundation | Legambiente

"Climate change, while important, is not a top political priority in and of itself."  CATF's Armond Cohen reflects on 2024 and details how to move from traditional "Climate Policy" to an approach better harmonized with economic, geopolitical, and political realities. In practice, this means:  ⚡️ Pursuing the lowest cost solution mix to decarbonize the electricity grid while maintaining energy security and reliability. This includes ramping up wind and solar but also accelerating “clean firm” tech like nuclear energy. ⏩ Accelerating low-carbon process innovations in heavy industry like cement, steel, and plastics. Technologies like carbon capture and hydrogen (in some sectors) will be important bridges.  🗺️ Smarter regionally differentiated strategies. Coalitions are needed around policy that advances high employment, localized industrial development, and global competitiveness with climate benefits a clear byproduct. 🤝 Rethinking the model of clean energy infrastructure buildout to accelerate progress. Beyond permitting reform, we need greater sharing of economic benefits with hosting regions. 🏭 Reckoning honestly and realistically with the role of fossil fuels in our energy system given seemingly insatiable demand. How can we develop cost-competitive alternatives? As we transition, are we going to control fossil emissions?  In short, we need more solutions, not fewer. And we need multiple durable, pragmatic strategies that build coalitions for action. https://lnkd.in/eJnavKBa

#Webinar: What are the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping #Poland’s industrial decarbonisation? Join us for the third webinar in our #CEETalks series to hear from experts how Poland envisions decarbonising its substantial industrial base while retaining competitiveness. With Poland’s forthcoming presidency of the Council of the European Union and soon to be unveiled Clean Industrial Deall, this webinar will provide an opportunity to reflect on the challenges and proposed solutions needed for Poland’s energy security and industrial competitiveness aspirations  We’ll be joined by Michal Hetmanski from Instrat Foundation, Piotr Mikusek from Grupa Azoty S.A., and Alessia Virone and Bartłomiej Kupiec from Clean Air Task Force. Register here: https://lnkd.in/eaBwz_NX

Rapidly cutting #methane emissions can help bend the curve on climate change today. CATF recently built on our work in #Nigeria to reduce methane pollution from the country's oil and gas sector CATF's collaboration with stakeholders in Nigeria began in 2019 with the development of Nigeria's methane guidelines – Africa's first – approved in 2022. Since then, CATF has hosted a number of workshops in Nigeria, providing technical and policy support to help the country implement its methane emissions reduction strategies effectively. In October of this year, CATF documented methane emissions from Nigeria's oil and gas sector using an optical gas imaging camera – making invisible gas leaks visible and allowing operators to identify emissions directly from invisible leaks or venting sources. This campaign was notable because it was specifically designed to assess the practicality and effectiveness of an optical gas imaging camera as stipulated by Nigeria's methane guidelines.  CATF gathered Nigerian regulators and other key government agencies – the first time these different groups were directly involved in a methane mitigation campaign – and each were able to see the value of the optical gas imaging camera and its role in leak detection.  By witnessing first-hand the value of optical gas imaging technology the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) and the National Council on Climate Change are better equipped to encourage other operators to adopt similar practices. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/ecPAmCXG 

Watch: CEETalks - Central and Eastern Europe in the World 📹 Delve into the latest trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping Central and Eastern Europe’s international partnerships and hear valuable perspectives from renowned experts. The panel explores best practices in energy cooperation, economic development strategies, and policy recommendations to enhance collaboration, as well as three key developments that give them hope. Huge thanks to Gediminas Varvuolis, Andrei Covatariu, Olga Khakova, Michał Kurtyka, Larissa Lee Beck, and Tamara Lagurashvili for such an insightful discussion. Watch here: https://lnkd.in/erZjJYX9

How can #Poland accelerate carbon capture and storage? CATF’s Codie Rossi joined CCUS Poland Association to discuss the critical need for carbon capture and storage as a climate solution, showcasing tools and results from our R&D and innovation projects. Poland has a strong backbone of technological expertise, as well as pilot projects in CO2 capture. The country also has significant geological storage potential and a significant need for CCS to enable decarbonisation of its substantial industrial base while retaining competitiveness. With the forthcoming presidency of the Council of the European Union, Poland is well positioned to amplify the role of CCS and support and push for EU policies that support the widespread deployment of this crucial technology. Many technology providers and Polish companies are ready to move on #CCS, but regulatory uncertainty around CO2 storage and transport regulations must first be solved by government. With the right policies and regulatory clarity, Poland can become a leader in Europe for CCS deployment. Find out more about Poland's potential for carbon capture and storage: https://lnkd.in/egUJkJJR

Exciting news for #geothermal energy! The International Energy Agency (IEA) launched its first-ever special report on geothermal energy, marking a significant milestone for this often-overlooked clean energy source. CATF leveraged its expertise in this space by providing a peer review on an early version of the report. Key findings include 👇  💡 Major potential for innovative geothermal solutions – next-generation geothermal could deliver up to 15% of total electricity generation growth to 2050 🔥 Advancing next-generation geothermal to operate in superhot geothermal systems increases this potential  🌎 Policy support is lagging globally – more than 100 countries have policies in place for solar PV and/or onshore wind, but less than 30 have implemented policies for geothermal Notably, the report highlights superhot rock geothermal – an emerging technology that taps into extreme heat deep below the Earth’s surface to produce clean, firm power. CATF’s Superhot Rock Geothermal team recently modeled its potential, showing that just 1% of global superhot rock energy resources could generate 63 terawatts of electricity – eight times the world’s current output. The IEA’s report is a clear call to action for policymakers, industry, and researchers to unlock geothermal energy’s full potential in the clean energy transition. Read the report and learn more about this exciting development: https://lnkd.in/dQwcs7zV