State of California Signals Need for Additional Measures to Tackle Toxic Pollution for Ocean-Going Vessels

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​​​​​​​ Today, California’s chief climate and air pollution regulator released a report on the status of the state’s world-first regulation to end in-port pollution from fossil fuel vessels. The report by California Air Resources Board (CARB) shows the continued success of the state’s in-port pollution regulation in protecting California port and coastal communities from significant … Read more

New California Climate Roadmap Includes Clean Energy Propulsion Goal for Ocean-Going Vessels

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SACRAMENTO (November 17, 2022) – Yesterday, the California Air Resources Board (CARB) released its final 2022 Scoping Plan, the state’s five-year roadmap for achieving its climate goals. After months of consultation with climate experts and advocates, as well as intervention from Governor Newsom, the plan reflects some significant improvements, including the initiation of an interagency process to … Read more

Environmental and Industry Organizations Urge Congress to Pass Bill to Zero Out Shipping Pollution 

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Washington, D.C. (November 17, 2022) – Today, a group of 31 environmental and community organizations and 13 industry organizations sent letters to Democratic leadership in Congress calling on them to support the Clean Shipping Act of 2022 (H.R. 8336). Introduced by Representatives Alan Lowenthal (CA-47) and Nanette Barragán (CA-44) in July, the bill aims to … Read more

West Coast Governors Newsom, Inslee, Brown and B.C. Premier Horgan’s Climate Partnership Sets Sights on Port Electrification and Maritime Decarbonization

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San Francisco, Calif. (October 6, 2022) – California Governor Newsom, Oregon Governor Brown, Washington Governor Inslee, and British Columbia Premier Hogan signed a new Statement of Cooperation (SOC), including a new initiative to pursue zero-carbon shipping and to decarbonize port equipment and operations. The U.S. West Coast states and B.C. have some of the world’s … Read more

Climate Advocates, Community Groups: Target Shipping Commitment Step in the Right Direction, But Not Enough

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK (September 22, 2022) – Global retail giant Target joined other big retailers, including Amazon and IKEA, in a landmark commitment to move its products off of fossil-fueled ocean cargo ships by 2040 as part of the Aspen Institute’s Cargo Owners for Zero Emission Vessels initiative. Environmental organizations with the Ship It … Read more

Ports Playbook for Zero-Emission Shipping

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The Ports Playbook for Zero-Emission Shipping focuses on three main tracks: commitments, policy, and progress. These tracks lay out nine actions that will end port pollution, accelerate the market for zero-emissions technologies, reward first movers and ensure reliable access to zero-emissions infrastructure and fuels. The 9-point playbook calls on ports to take the following actions: … Read more

The Heart of the Ocean: Alaska’s First National Marine Sanctuary?

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A new source of hope for sustainability and Indigenous co-management of natural resources is being developed far off the Alaskan coast. Alaĝum Kanuux̂, or Heart of the Ocean, is set to become Alaska’s first National Marine Sanctuary — a model for truly sustainable co-management of environmental and cultural resources.  In the Bering Sea, 300 miles … Read more

Pacific Environment Calls on President Biden to Deliver Climate Emergency Executive Order, End Fossil Fuel Expansion

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Washington, DC (August 12, 2022) — Congress passed a historic reconciliation package with key climate provisions (170 yeas to 123 nays). The Inflation Reduction Act is projected to cut greenhouse gas emissions by up to 41% by 2030 from the U.S.’s 2005 baseline.   Pacific Environment calls for President Biden to deliver on his promise … Read more

Ship It Zero Resolution Passes Long Beach City Council 

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LONG BEACH – Yesterday evening, the Long Beach City Council unanimously passed a Ship It Zero Resolution 6-0. Long Beach City Councilmember Cindy Allen introduced the resolution on Earth Day, calling on Long Beach’s top maritime importers to commit to making all port calls to the San Pedro Port Complex, which includes the Port of … Read more

State Department Announces Green Corridor Ocean Shipping Initiative

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The State Department announced the United States’ vision and commitment to green shipping corridors yesterday. The department said, “The United States envisions green shipping corridors as maritime routes that showcase low- and zero-emission lifecycle fuels and technologies with the ambition to achieve zero greenhouse gas emissions across all aspects of the corridor in support of … Read more

UN Shipping Body IMO Fails On Black Carbon, Lives Up To Reputation For Climate Inaction 

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A week that opened with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres lambasting governments and industry for their climate inaction, and the IPCC’s Climate Mitigation report criticising the poor climate governance of international shipping, is set to close with the UN’s shipping agency, the IMO, again kicking climate concerns into the long grass, by failing to reduce the … Read more

As port partnership launches for green shipping corridors in Europe, advocates call for Pacific Ports Green Corridors Initiative

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The Mærsk Mc-Kinney Møller Center for Zero Carbon Shipping has joined with the port authorities of Hamburg, Gdynia, Roenne, Rotterdam, and Tallinn, to create a European Green Corridors Network to advance the Clydebank Declaration for Clean Shipping Corridors announced last November at COP26. According to Splash247, the project backers “…will demonstrate the early commercialisation of … Read more

Communities, Advocates, Members of Congress Celebrate Strong Commercial Harbor Craft Regulation, First Zero-Emissions Mandate for Ferries in the U.S.

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Today, members of Congress, conservation, environmental justice, community, and public health advocates celebrate the unanimous adoption by the California Air Resources Board, led by Chair Liane Randolph, of the nation’s strongest commercial harbor craft public health regulation and the first zero-emissions mandate for ferries.  “Communities neighboring the San Pedro Bay Port Complex are disproportionately affected … Read more

Walmart’s Dirty Shipping Problem

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On Thursday, March 31, the Society of Environmental Journalists (SEJ) is offering a tour to the Houston Ship Channel, Tour 7, “From the Fenceline to the Frontline: The Battle Against Environmental Racism in Houston’s Ship Channel.” According to the agenda, attendees will tour the Houston Ship Channel, a highly industrialized area of refineries and chemical … Read more

Alaska’s Renewable Energy Future: New Jobs, Affordable Energy

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New research reveals that development of Alaska’s vast renewable energy resources has the potential to create more than 100,000 jobs across Alaska in the coming decades, more than replacing jobs that will be lost as the world transitions away from fossil fuels. Based on adjusting a sample of independent studies for Alaska cost differentials for … Read more

Pacific Environment Calls on Biden Administration for a Zero Emission Ship Standard, Protection for Port Communities

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On March 1, President Biden mentioned port modernization and environmental justice in his State of the Union address, saying “We’ll create good jobs for millions of Americans, modernizing roads, airports, ports, and waterways all across America. And we’ll do it all to withstand the devastating effects of the climate crisis and promote environmental justice.” He … Read more