Shell has "materially misstated its financial commitment to renewable sources of energy" and the Securities and Exchange Commission should investigate the issue, according to a complaint filed by Global Witness with the SEC's Climate and ESG Task Force. "Despite its title, a significant portion of Shell's spending on Renewables and Energy Solutions appears to be directed toward the marketing and trading of 'natural' gas - a fossil fuel - and gas-generated power," said the nonprofit.

The Biden administration is targeting 100% carbon-free power by 2035 and can do that in a variety of ways, say Amy Robertson of the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, George Crabtree of the Argonne National Laboratory and other experts. Offshore wind makes sense, says Robertson, because it can generate more power using less space and costs continue to fall. The US can get to 80% carbon-free power with relative ease and should look to long-duration energy storage to help close the remaining 20% gap, says Crabtree.

Resource Central, a conservation nonprofit in Boulder, Colo., is giving plants and a "water-wise" garden to residents affected by the Marshall fire in December 2021, which destroyed more than 1,000 homes as well as landscaping. The Garden In A Box program is designed to help residents plant the best vegetation to conserve water, the nonprofit says.

The Tennessee Valley Authority this year will review a record number of proposals for sustainable energy and nuclear power projects, as it plans to boost these parts of its power portfolio. The push comes after TVA in December signed power purchase agreements with Nashville-based Silicon Ranch for 160 megawatts of solar capacity from new solar farms in Tennessee.

A report from the the International Council on Clean Transportation, in partnership with Energy Innovation, extimates electric vehicles will account for half of all light-duty vehicles sold in 2030, less than the estimated two-thirds needed to help meet the 2030 US emissions targets. The shortfall is despite the benefits offered by the Inflation Reduction Act, although Stephanie Searle, US director at ICCT, says the IRA has made a significant impact and EV sales may in fact reach 61% of total light-vehicle sales in 2030.

Climate change is driving an overall rise in global temperatures and one of the effects of that warming is a shift in the polar vortexes, paradoxically sending cold air to places that have historically not endured such frigid temperatures. Animals, insects and fish have all suffered from the upheaval, which has even led to shifts in the seasons and in birds' migratory patterns.

The Vinyl Institute is establishing its Viability program to direct $3 million in grants over three years to support post-consumer polyvinyl chloride recycling in the US, with hopes to see 160 million pounds of the material recycled annually by 2025. The organization is interested in learning about any innovative idea, and also hopes to "hear from people who are currently recycling and would like to increase the volume but are running into some roadblocks with collection, transportation and logistical issues," says President and CEO Ned Monroe.

Minnesota has joined numerous other states in producing detailed legislation requiring a transition to carbon-free energy sources including wind, solar, hydropower, biomass, hydrogen and existing nuclear plants. The state's main utility, Xcel Energy, supports the move, and a target date of 2040 has been set.

While acknowledging that fully realizing its potential will take years, Edmund Synakowski of the Stevens Institute of Technology in Hoboken, N.J., says the recent breakthrough in nuclear fusion technology will "fundamentally change world economies," extend life expectancies and more. "This begs the question to governments of the world, 'Are you going to respond?' " Synakowski asks.

The world funneled a record $495 billion into renewables in 2022, with $308 billion and $175 billion going toward solar and wind, respectively, reports BloombergNEF. China led the pack with a $273 billion investment in new wind and solar capacity, followed by the US at nearly $50 billion. Investment remains below the level needed to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

Karen Kantor here - I edit Sustainability and also cover energy and chemicals for SmartBrief. I'm interested in how different industries are approaching challenges related to the effects of climate change, decarbonization, conservation, the energy transition and so much more. This is an exciting time to be in business.

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