Emissions reduction

Clean industry

Chart: Heavy industry is the world’s biggest decarbonization challenge

The production of oil and gas, cement, steel, and other industrial products is enormously polluting. Decarbonizing these sectors will take a while.

By Dan McCarthy . 25 October 2024

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
Clean industry

How to clean up the dirtiest parts of chemicals manufacturing

The government has a blueprint to reduce the carbon pollution of chemical production. Here are some key takeaways.

By Eric Wesoff . 26 October 2023
Clean industry

To decarbonize cement, the industry needs a full transformation

Cement production has an enormous carbon footprint. That can be curbed with plug-and-play solutions, but eliminating emissions entirely will require big, ambitious action.

By Jeff St. John . 24 October 2023