Policy Paper/Report

Toward a Global Plastics Treaty: A Survey of State Submissions ahead of INC-2

As the international community approaches the second session of the intergovernmental negotiating committee (INC), tasked with developing an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, member states were invited to make submissions on the potential elements of the instrument. This policy brief summarizes the ideas and views expressed by states ahead of INC-2, and outlines …

Toward a Global Plastics Treaty: A Survey of State Submissions ahead of INC-2 Read More »

Plastic Production in SIDS: Case Studies of Five Small Island Developing States

Recognizing the need to address the growing global plastics crisis, the international community has begun the process of developing an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, which has the potential to impact domestic activities surrounding plastic production. Up until now, however, there has been a notable lack of information on the role that Small …

Plastic Production in SIDS: Case Studies of Five Small Island Developing States Read More »

Plastic Production in SIDS: Preliminary Data on the Role of Small Island Developing States in Global Plastic Production

Recognizing the need to address the growing global plastics crisis, the international community has begun the process of developing an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, which has the potential to impact domestic activities surrounding plastic production. Up until now, however, there has been a notable lack of information on the role that Small …

Plastic Production in SIDS: Preliminary Data on the Role of Small Island Developing States in Global Plastic Production Read More »

Equitable Electrification: Could City and State Policies Aggravate Energy Insecurity?

Progressive cities and states have begun enacting policies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from buildings, one of the leading sources of such emissions in the United States. The same jurisdictions have also generally committed to pursuing decarbonization equitably, without exacerbating the disadvantages faced by historically marginalized communities. Electrification is currently a favored policy for decarbonizing …

Equitable Electrification: Could City and State Policies Aggravate Energy Insecurity? Read More »

Beyond Gas Bans: Alternative Pathways to Reduce Building Emissions in Light of State Preemption Laws

At the federal level, opportunities to advance emissions reductions from buildings have expanded due to the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, which aims to speed the nation’s transition to carbon-free energy sources. However, many municipalities have seen their powers to steer building decarbonization curtailed in recent years. Notably, between 2020 and 2021, 20 states …

Beyond Gas Bans: Alternative Pathways to Reduce Building Emissions in Light of State Preemption Laws Read More »

Impact Fees in NYC? A Summary of Potential Sources of Legal Authority, Constraints, and Options

New development offers a variety of potential social and economic benefits for New York City. At the same time, new development puts additional pressure on the local environment, including on critical physical and social infrastructure, much of which is already overburdened and in need of upgrades. In this context, some have called upon the City …

Impact Fees in NYC? A Summary of Potential Sources of Legal Authority, Constraints, and Options Read More »

SIDS & Marine Plastic Pollution: A Look at How Small Island Developing States are Impacted by Plastic Pollution

Plastic—one of the world’s most ubiquitous materials—currently poses one of the greatest threats to the environment, human health, and livelihoods. However, the impacts of plastic pollution are neither distributed nor experienced equally by all countries; while plastic pollution affects many countries across the globe, small island developing states (SIDS) have been disproportionately affected by this …

SIDS & Marine Plastic Pollution: A Look at How Small Island Developing States are Impacted by Plastic Pollution Read More »

Valuing Density: An Evaluation of the Extent to which American, Australian, and Canadian Cities Account for the Climate Benefits of Density through Environmental Review

This study looks at the extent to which major cities in the United States, Australia, and Canada assess the climate impacts of densification through the environmental review process. Research indicates that greater urban density is associated with lower household greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in high GDP countries. Yet there is reason to believe that cities …

Valuing Density: An Evaluation of the Extent to which American, Australian, and Canadian Cities Account for the Climate Benefits of Density through Environmental Review Read More »

Scroll to Top