Latest news with #SEAP
Yahoo
15-02-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Charlotte adjusts city-wide climate goals as 2030 deadline approaches
Across Charlotte, you may have seen more solar on city rooftops and more electric cars on the road. The rapid shift comes from a 2018 resolution city council passed unanimously to make Charlotte a leader in fighting climate change. Duke Energy expands aid programs amid high bills From there, Sarah Hazel, the chief sustainability and resiliency officer, said the city laid out the Strategic Energy Action Plan to find a way to make Charlotte a 'low carbon city' by 2050, and have all city and fleet cars running on 100% clean energy by 2030. 'It's trending in the right direction,' she said. 'But there's still a lot of work to do.' With five years to go until that 2030 deadline, Hazel said the city's made significant progress in expanding its electric fleet and converting all its buildings to clean power. The city now has more than 200 EVs in its fleet, more than 30 solar projects throughout the city and after a second power purchase agreement with Duke Energy to build a solar farm in South Davidson County, Hazel said the city will have enough green energy to be within 19% of that 2030 goal. Meanwhile, meeting the fleet goal by 2030 is proving to be more difficult. Sustain Charlotte urges local investment as EPA dismantles environmental justice initiatives 'Given we have vehicles that are big as fire trucks and solid waste vehicles and right now, the technology isn't quite there,' she said. Though the city is investing in electric busses and will be getting its first electric firetruck when the new Fire Station 30 opens, Hazel said its not feasible to expect a full-electric transition for most of their heavy-duty vehicles. Instead, she believes the city should set a new goal for full fleet of light-duty vehicles powered entirely by clean energy by 2035. 'The infrastructure that it takes to charge those [large] vehicles are more challenging than some of our smaller vehicles that, we have have more options and opportunities to purchase,' she said. 'We are replacing our vehicles with the lowest emitting vehicle that can do the job.' As for overall emissions, Hazel's office completed an inventory on 2023 emissions which she presented to a council committee last week. The data shows per capita greenhouse gas emissions in Charlotte decreased by 30% since 2019 and while road transportation emissions remain the largest emitter in the city, the category has also seen one of the largest reductions. Moving forward, Hazel said the city has been taking that assessment as well as resident feedback to develop an updated SEAP to present to council in March. The new plan, she believes will get Charlotte to those 2035 goals as well as a new city-wide net-zero by 2050 goal, while taking into account new priorities. 'For example, one thing is extreme heat, and so this updated Strategic Energy Action Plan will make that direct connection between things like the climate risk of heat and some of the other work, such as our tree our tree canopy action plan,' she said. Hazel said the city is taking into account results from the recent UNC Charlotte heat mapping study and should be looking for ways to address those areas where the city's heat island effect is the worst. In the near-term however, Charlotte will face headwinds from a new federal administration that has deprioritized issues like environmental justice and climate mitigation. Many of the city's investments thus far have relied on federal grants, incentives and tax credits, which are unlikely to continue under the Trump Administration. Given those challenges, Councilmember Ed Driggs said the city needs to be clear-headed about what it could take financially to meet these climate goals without as much outside help. 'Is the city prepared to make investments by offering incentives for example, in order to help us achieve that goal? That's the tough question,' he said. To Hazel however, this is a commitment the city made six years ago, and while federal priorities come and go, Charlotte made a promise to follow through even if it means looking for help in nontraditional ways. 'Look for those public private partnerships, partnerships directly with the community and nonprofits that are doing incredible work,' she said. 'And look at both the local context as the landscape changes.' VIDEO: Sustain Charlotte urges local investment as EPA dismantles environmental justice initiatives
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Ireland scrambles to shield economy from threat of Trump tariffs
Ireland is scrambling to protect its economy from Donald Trump's trade war as more than a quarter of its goods exports are at risk of looming US tariffs. Simon Harris, Ireland's deputy leader, is attempting to drum up cabinet support for a plan to bolster the country's defences from trade shocks. This includes setting up two new advisory bodies tasked with navigating the threat posed to Ireland's economy by potential American tariffs on the European Union (EU), according to the Irish Independent. This includes a strategic economic advisory panel (SEAP), which Mr Harris is looking to fast-track amid escalating fears over Mr Trump's expected trade war with Europe. The US president on Sunday said that the EU was 'really out of line' and that tariffs on the bloc's imports to America will 'definitely happen'. Analysis shows that Ireland is more exposed to Mr Trump's tariffs than any country in the EU, with its US exports accounting for 10.1pc of its GDP. This is more than triple the 2.9pc average across the EU as a whole, according to ING. Members of the new panel will be sourced from a range of businesses operating in the US, who will help to advise the Irish government on the risks and opportunities posed by Ireland's transatlantic trade ties. As well as introducing the SEAP, Mr Harris will ask the cabinet to sign off on the immediate launch of a consulting group on global trade policy. This body will consist of representatives from relevant government departments and business groups, who will meet every eight weeks to engage with businesses reliant on global trade. Mr Harris on Monday warned: 'Ireland is at the centre of the European Union and any imposition of tariffs on the EU would create significant challenges. 'Europe must and will work collectively and with the United States to avoid such a situation emerging, and if necessary to mitigate any measures taken.' The US is the biggest buyer of Ireland's goods exports, purchasing products worth €54bn (£45bn) in 2023. This was 28pc of all of Ireland's total goods exports. Official US figures also show that Ireland has the fourth-largest trade surplus (meaning it exports far more than it imports) with the US after China, Mexico and Vietnam. Two thirds of Ireland's goods exports to the US are pharmaceuticals and chemicals, two industries Mr Trump wants to target as part of his push to bring manufacturing jobs back to the US. As well as dealing with the threat of tariffs, Irish officials are also concerned over Mr Trump's plans to slash its corporation tax bill from 21pc to 15pc, which will put it on par with Ireland's rate. This would serve as a blow to Ireland by potentially tempting American tech multinationals away from Dublin and back to the US. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
