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Director's Picks

Here Are the 5 Issues to Watch at COP29

Summary

COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, faces major challenges with the recent U.S. election of Donald Trump and global economic strain. Key issues include setting a new climate aid goal, as developing nations demand more robust funding commitments. Additionally, the conference will address the potential gaps in U.S. participation, with China and the EU possibly increasing their climate commitments. Other topics include coordinating methane regulation and nuclear energy in the global transition, the operationalization of the loss and damage fund for climate reparations, and ongoing debates on carbon markets. These discussions will shape global climate action as countries aim to achieve their Paris Agreement targets.

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August 29, 2025
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice

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Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice

The Sierra Club fired Executive Director Ben Jealous after no-confidence votes, budget cuts, layoffs, and misconduct concerns. Union leaders welcomed his departure...

August 11, 2025
Environmental
Environmental

U.S. clean hydrogen projects are collapsing amid shortened tax credit deadlines, rising energy costs, and policy shifts, leaving most proposals ineligible and investors...

August 5, 2025
Climate Justice
Climate Justice

A coalition of nonprofits, tribes, and local governments filed a class-action lawsuit against the EPA, demanding reinstatement of a $3bn climate justice grant program halted...

August 3, 2025
Climate
Climate

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July 25, 2025
Climate
Climate

Ben Jealous was placed on leave by the Sierra Club amid widespread internal dissent over his leadership, with staff citing failed vision, contentious layoffs...

July 24, 2025
Climate Justice
Climate Justice

The UN's International Court of Justice declared climate change a human rights issue, advising that nations must act or risk reparations, influencing global litigation...

July 23, 2025
Education
Education

The Trump administration has targeted over 4,000 federal grants worth up to $8.2 billion for termination across 600+ U.S. colleges, disproportionately affecting public...

July 23, 2025
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice

The USDA under the Trump administration has eliminated the term “socially disadvantaged” from its policies, ending race- and gender-based support programs for minority farmers...

July 17, 2025
Legal & Legislation
Legal & Legislation

President Trump's elimination of federal DEI programs has halted essential USDA funding to East Texas Black farmers, further endangering their livelihoods amid decades...

July 11, 2025
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice

Residents in the Shiloh Community have fought for years to remedy excessive storm water runoff caused by an elevated highway. Now they’re suing.

July 9, 2025
Climate
Climate

Amid devastating Texas floods, FEMA’s delayed response raises concerns as President Trump pushes to dismantle the agency, shifting disaster management costs...

July 2, 2025
Environmental Justice
Environmental Justice

The Supreme Court let stand a $14.25 million penalty against ExxonMobil for over 16,000 Clean Air Act violations at its Baytown plant...

July 1, 2025
Climate
Climate

Recent Supreme Court rulings have weakened federal agency powers and funding, enabling the Trump administration to bypass environmental oversight...

June 27, 2025
Climate Change
Climate Change

Disputes over climate finance and fossil fuel phaseout stalled progress at the Bonn climate summit, threatening preparations for COP30 in Brazil.