Emissions reduction

Policy & regulation

California’s new clean-fuel plan makes old problems worse

CARB approved new rules last week that critics say reward polluting biofuels, shortchange EVs, and could cause gasoline prices to spike.

By Jeff St. John . 13 November 2024

gray, black, and white cars snaking along two sides of an urban freeway. — The 101 freeway in Los Angeles, California (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Air travel

Airlines have a big climate problem, and it’s not just CO2 emissions

A Virgin Atlantic flight made waves for flying without fossil fuels. But it was also a test for studying contrails, a hidden cause of global warming.

By Maria Gallucci . 6 December 2023
Air travel

In a first, a major airline will cross the Atlantic without fossil fuels

Virgin Atlantic will use 100% sustainable aviation fuel on a flight from London to New York. It’s an important step toward slashing emissions from planes.

By Maria Gallucci . 27 November 2023
Heat pumps

Heat-pump water heaters are a winner for the climate — and your wallet

The tech costs more than conventional options upfront, but federal tax credits, new 120V models and strong savings have made them more appealing than ever.

By Alison F. Takemura . 22 November 2023
Carbon capture

America’s first commercial direct air capture plant just got going

The startup Heirloom says it’s capturing CO2 from the sky and locking away the planet-warming gas, making it the first and only commercial U.S. plant to do so.

By Maria Gallucci . 9 November 2023
Energy efficiency

This simple score can help you find an energy-efficient home

A growing number of cities are mandating Home Energy Scores, a metric that makes it easy for potential renters or homebuyers to grasp a home’s energy use.

By Alison F. Takemura . 8 November 2023
Transportation

Full steam ahead for electric freight trains

Wabtec Corp. unveiled the world's first battery-powered, heavy-haul locomotive this week in Pennsylvania. Freight rail is only just catching up on electrified transportation.

By Maria Gallucci . 3 November 2023
Heat pumps

Heat pumps are everywhere — even in clothes dryers

Using heat pumps to dry clothes is dramatically more energy-efficient. Thanks to new rebates, the appliance could be coming soon to a laundry room near you.

By Alison F. Takemura . 31 October 2023
Clean industry

Five things to know about decarbonizing cement, steel and chemicals

Here are the key takeaways from Canary Media’s in-depth series on how to cut carbon emissions from heavy industry.

By Dan McCarthy . 30 October 2023
Guest essay

How 'Buy Clean' policies will help decarbonize heavy industries

The U.S. government and leading states are leveraging their vast purchasing power to spur manufacturing of low-carbon steel, cement and more.

By Anish Tilak . 27 October 2023
Clean industry

This key chemical is super dirty to make. Can an electric furnace help?

These high-profile pilots are using electricity to slash CO2 emissions from making ethylene — the building block of materials from plastic to PVC.

By Maria Gallucci . 26 October 2023