The Department of Energy announced Tuesday it will invest up to $14.5 million in research and development to help reduce single-use plastic waste and the energy needed to recycle such materials.
Why it matters: Single-use plastics, like plastic bags and cling film, make up the largest source of plastic in U.S. landfills and are some of the most difficult types of plastics to recycle, the department said.
The Interior and Defense Departments have identified a region off the California coast that can support major offshore wind development that's consistent with military testing and training in the area, the White House said.
Why it matters: The Biden administration is looking to spur large-scale offshore wind development as part of its wider goal of decarbonizing U.S. power generation.
Microsoft announced on Tuesday that it is teaming up with Github, Accenture and Thoughtworks to establish a nonprofit aimed at cutting emissions across the software industry.
Why it matters: Software is an overlooked factor partly responsible for driving up carbon emissions from the tech sector. Companies that develop software used across the IT industry, including Microsoft, need to address this in order to fulfill their own ambitious climate goals.
Exxon is pledging more board additions ahead of a showdown with activist investors pressing for more aggressive moves on climate change and capital discipline on oil development.
Why it matters: The move comes just ahead of Wednesday's annual meeting, when shareholders will vote on whether to approve four board members nominated by the investment group Engine No. 1.
The world's growing efforts to limit climate change will have far-reaching impacts for financial markets, and the groundwork for that push is being laid right now.
Why it matters: As more governments implement climate change regulations, trillions of dollars are going to flow towards clean energy and climate-friendly technologies, affecting significant portions of the global financial industry.
The White House is providing fresh details of a major satellite program that administration officials call poised to reveal vital information about climate change and extreme weather events.
Why it matters: Known as the "Earth System Observatory," the program consists of at least five satellites to be launched through 2029 that will enhance, or in some cases revolutionize, the capabilities of the space agency's existing fleet of Earth-observing satellites.
Tropical Cyclone Yaas formed in the Bay of Bengal Sunday night eastern time, and is poised to intensify -- perhaps at a rapid rate, as it swirls toward landfall in the Indian coastal state of Odisha on May 26.
The big picture: The storm, which may reach Category 2 or 3 intensity prior to landfall, threatens to cause more disruptions at the same time as India is reeling from a devastating surge in coronavirus cases.
The Biden administration plans to invest $1 billion helping states prepare for extreme weather ahead of the 2021 hurricane season, alongside an initiative to track natural disasters through a new NASA program.
Why it matters: The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) expects above-average storm activity during the next hurricane season, which would make this the sixth unusually active season in a row.
A new nonprofit group called Climate Vault aims to offer reliable carbon offsets while providing fresh support for CO2 removal technologies and methods.
Driving the news: It's the brainchild of the University of Chicago team led by economist Michael Greenstone, who served in the Obama White House.
G7 environment ministers have pledged to move toward the "absolute end" to financing international development of coal-fired power plants by the end of this year.
Why it matters: Their joint communique Friday is a stark statement about how they view the future of the world's most carbon-intensive fuel.
Gina McCarthy, President Biden's top domestic climate official, hasn't forgotten Big Oil's past funding of climate denial groups, but she now sees an evolving industry.
Driving the news: Axios' Mike Allen, interviewing McCarthy for "Axios on HBO," asked if Big Oil is an ally or an enemy in the fight against climate change.
