article thumbnail

Ask a Scientist: The US Has to Do More to Meet Its Carbon Emissions Reduction Goals

Union of Concerned Scientists

However, several analyses—including a recent one by the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS)—have concluded that the IRA, even when coupled with the bipartisan infrastructure act and other federal and state climate policies, will not be enough to meet US carbon emission reduction goals. How is that going to happen?

article thumbnail

It’s Time to Repeal the Clean Power Plan

Legal Planet

When fully implemented, the Clean Power Plan was intended to cut carbon emissions 30% below the 2005 level by 2030. Compliance was set to begin in 2022, ramping up toward 2030 emission reduction goals. Even without the Clean Power Plan, carbon emissions from power generators fell about 15% from the 2015 level.

2015 264
Insiders

Sign Up for our Newsletter

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

article thumbnail

The Supreme Court’s Latest Decision Is a Blow to Stopping Climate Change

Union of Concerned Scientists

The majority 6–3 decision sharply curtails the EPA’s authority to set standards based on a broad range of flexible options to cut carbon emissions from the power sector—options such as replacing polluting fossil fuels with cheap and widely available wind and solar power coupled with battery storage. carbon emissions today.

article thumbnail

Emissions by the Big Utilities: Where They Are, What They’re Aiming For

Legal Planet

For convenience, I lumped coal and oil together as “very high carbon” sources (VHC) in the table. Carbon Goal. 67% cut from 2005 by 2025. Zero coal by 2035, 24 GW solar/wind by 2030, net zero emissions by 2050, including upstream and downstream emissions. Other Carbon Free: 4%. Fossil Fuel Use. Duke Power.

2030 246
article thumbnail

Germany’s Role in Climate Policy

Legal Planet

The Federal Cabinet adopts its first climate target, a 25-30% cut in carbon emissions by 2005 under 1987 levels. Note: the estimates of 1990 emissions that I found are not entirely consistent, with one estimate closer to 1.2 Climate law makes emission targets legally binding 2019. trillion tons.]

article thumbnail

The Winding Path of Australian Climate Policy

Legal Planet

On a per capita basis, Australia’s carbon emissions are even higher than the United States. In 2022, the Labor coalition passed a law mandating that Australia cut greenhouse gas emissions 43% below 2005 levels by 2030 and reach net-zero by 2050. A decade ago, Australia had a climate tax.

2030 264
article thumbnail

Subnational Climate Action in the UK

Legal Planet

Northern Irish Assembly has passed a bill to set a net-zero for energy-related carbon emissions by 2050. The plan serets interim emissions targets: 55% below 2005 levels by 2030; 65% below by 2035; and 75% below by 2040, toward the ultimate goal of net-zero by 2050. The last coal plant in Scotland closed in 2016.

2030 246