Monthly Policy Update | November 2021  

A Brief Update

Based on conversations we have been having with many of you regarding how we can enhance the Monthly Policy Updates, we wanted to highlight two changes that you will see this point forward in each e-newsletter:

1.  For each update shared, you fill now find a coinciding "Why This Matters" blurb providing information on why we think it is directly relevant to higher education.  

2.  Updates - when relevant - from states beyond the states (plus Washington, D.C.) that we have been focused on.  If we determine a policy effort is relevant to higher education, regardless of what state it is from, we will share it here.  

We do these updates for you, because we know that without climate-friendly policies in place, you can only advance climate efforts so far.  Coinciding with this, if you have feedback on how we can make these Monthly Policy Updates even more relevant to your campus climate action, please let us know: policyteam@secondnature.org.   

Need to Know

GLOBAL: COP26
The main goal of COP26 is to get closer to fulfilling emission-reduction promises that nations made six years ago under the Paris Agreement.  More. . .​​
Why This Matters: (1) According to science, we are running out of time to have an effect on combating climate change, which means this is more than likely the most vital COP of our lifetime; and (2) Academics from higher education institutions around the world are in attendance, providing expertise on a range of topics.  

GLOBAL: OTHER
Even if countries meet their voluntary commitments to curb carbon emissions, it still won’t be enough to achieve international climate goals, according to the United Nations’ annual Emissions Gap Report.  More. . .
Why This Matters: Governments are falling short in addressing the climate crisis, so more of the onus is in the hands of the businesses and academic institutions, among other actors. Higher education has a particularly critical role to play in not only decarbonizing but educating the next generation of climate champions. 

FEDERAL 
The Biden Administration announced the launch of a whole-of-government initiative to deliver accessible and actionable information to individuals and communities that are being hit by flooding, drought, wildfires, and other climate impacts.  
More . . .
Why This Matters: The new tools announced by the federal government could easily be incorporated into higher education curriculum.

On Saturday, November 6th, the House passed a procedural vote for the "Build Back Better" plan, which the House will need to pick back up for discussion and hold a final vote once they return from the two-week Congressional break.  More. . .
Why This Matters: While the House Democrats have passed a big hurdle with being able to pass a procedural vote, they still need to have a final vote.  This will be one to watch because the final bill voted on may not include all components the current bill does now, including funding for climate change related efforts.  There are a lot of important provisions in the current package that will make it easier and cheaper for colleges and universities to decarbonize. Such as: (1) Expanding rebates and credits for energy efficiency measures; (2) allocating funding for climate resilience; (3) creating a Civilian Climate Corps that would employ Americans to work green jobs, and more.  

MULTIPLE STATES
Colleges and universities across the country are divesting from the fossil fuel industry, with institutions like Harvard, Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Yale, Boston University, and others all announcing ambitious plans to divest.  More. . .
Why This Matters: Large entities such as higher education institutions cannot fully make the claim that they are net zero while still accepting funding from fossil fuel companies.  While divestment is not an easy feat, it's vital.  

INDIVIDUAL STATES
ILLINOIS
The passage of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act will provide new blocks of funding to support community, commercial, and residential solar.  More . . .
Why This Matters: The new incentives will fund renewable credits for 75 megawatts each of small and large distributed solar installations, 50 MW on schools, and 10 MW of community-driven community solar.  You can learn more about how these incentives will work here.

MISSOURI 
The state’s largest gas and electric utilities are launching a new program that will finance customers’ energy efficiency upgrades and, often times, decrease their monthly bills.  More . . .
Why This Matters: Utilities nationwide have been slow to embrace these Pay As You Save programs - but this development signals the tide may be turning. If your institution is located in Missouri you now can take advantage of these benefits.

NEW YORK
The city of Ithaca, New York voted to electrify and decarbonize its buildings - the first municipality in the country to make such a commitment.  More . . .
Why This Matters: Ithaca’s decarbonization announcement means Cornell University must electrify all of its buildings (Cornell is already well underway).  Given how policies often diffuse, it’s likely that Ithaca’s announcement will have a trickle effect and lead other municipalities to follow suit.

OHIO
Ohio and other states are losing billions from rollbacks of energy efficiency standards, but a bipartisan bill would be a first step to recouping savings.  
More . .
Why This Matters: HB 389 will allow Ohioans to start utilizing energy efficiency programs again, which would serve businesses and higher education institutions in the state.

Sources:
Charles, D.  (2021, November 1).  The COP26 summit to fight climate change has started. Here's what to expect.  NPR.  URL. 

Friedlander, B.  (2021, September 22).  New residence halls save energy with eco-friendly features.  Cornell Chronicle.  URL. 

Illinois Solar Energy Association.  IPA Power Hour Webinar Series.  URL. 

Kowalski, K.M.  (2021, October 4).  Report: Ohio and other states losing millions from rollbacks of energy efficiency standards.  Energy News Network.  URL. 

Lydersen, K.  (2021, November 3).   Illinois solar industry optimistic again as new state law revives incentives.  Energy News Network.  URL. 

Root, T.  (2021, November 3).  This U.S. city just voted to decarbonize every single building.  The Washington Post.  URL. 

The White House (2021, October 12).  FACT SHEET: Biden Administration Makes Climate Information and Decision Tools More Accessible.  URL. 

UNEP, UNEP DTU Partnership (2021, October 21).  Emissions Gap Report 2021.  URL. 

Wilkie, C.  (2021, November 6).  Biden social and climate bill clears procedural vote in House, where it still awaits final approval.  CNBC.  URL. 

Wolman, J.  (2021, September 28).  Harvard cracks on fossil fuels and a dam breaks.  Politico.  URL. 

The states and updates included in each Monthly Policy Update are based on what we are recommending for reading for that month, due to what we view as being directly relevant to higher education.  From month to month, the states focused on are due to change.  

Do you have feedback on our Monthly Policy Updates (what you like, what you would like to see improved, etc)?  Please email us: policyteam@secondnature.org.  

Note: Our monthly policy updates, information, and opportunities to participate, are developed with support from Ceres, which is an organizational partner of Second Nature.  Ceres has identified the following states plus Washington, D.C. for primary focus - Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. - because of the beneficial legislative climates and real opportunities for policy advancements in these states.  Our Policy Updates may, or may not, include these states (and Washington, D.C.).