Hello and welcome to Climate Change Solutions!

Are you COP31-curious? If so, you can count on EESI to help you follow developments and outcomes from this year’s UN climate negotiations, set to start on Monday, November 9. Whether you’re traveling to Antalya, Türkiye, or engaging from your desk, we’ve got you covered. Join us this Thursday, November 5, at noon EST for our online briefing, What’s on the Table for the Negotiations. Then, starting on Friday, our COP Dispatch newsletter will begin comprehensive reporting on the negotiations, with the information needs of Congress in mind. And tune into our Rapid Readout briefing series on November 10, 19, and 24 for timely updates from experts on the ground. Check out all of our programming—including our podcast episode about gender issues at COP31, articles about the status of key issues, and trackers—at our COP31 Resources page.

Article | What's on the Menu for the UN Climate Summit? The Turkish Presidency Sets a Place for Electrification and Waste Management
[9 min. read]

The COP President—designated by the conference’s host country—has unique leverage to shape priority issues for the conference’s Action Agenda. This article examines COP31 President-Designate Murat Kurum’s top priorities for climate action and commitments in Antalya this month. To learn what those priorities—from electrification to zero waste—could mean for potential COP31 outcomes, click the link above. [click for more]

Sound the Alarm: President Trump enacted the Mystic Alerts Act (P.L. 119-136). The bipartisan, bicameral legislation, named for the tragic Camp Mystic flood in July 2025, will allow authorities to use satellite messaging for emergency alerts when cell tower networks are downed during natural disasters or extreme weather.

Critical Maneuvers: The Critical Infrastructure Manufacturing Feasibility Act (P.L. 119-127) became law. Reps. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa), Kim Schrier (D-Wash.), and Erin Houchin (R-Ind.) and Sens. Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) introduced the bill to require the Department of Commerce to study the viability of “reshoring” key industry manufacturing to the United States—particularly, manufacturing for in-demand products and products with high supply chain risk, such as lithium and cobalt.

New Vacation Plan: The president signed the Chiricahua National Park Act (P.L. 119-133) into law, making it the 64th national park. Reintroduced by Reps. Juan Ciscomani (R-Ariz.) and Greg Stanton (D-Ariz.) and Sens. Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) and Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), the bill re-designates the former national monument, nicknamed “the Wonderland of Rocks.”

Keeping Geological Data on the Map: The House Committee on Natural Resources advanced the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (MRI) Reauthorization Act of 2026 (H.R.9640), led by Reps. Robert Wittman (R-Va.) and Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.). The bill would reauthorize the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative—a U.S. Geological Survey program that helps generate baseline data on geologic hazards, critical minerals, and geothermal resources across the United States—through 2031.

We track all environmental, energy, and climate legislation and hearings happening on Capitol Hill. See the full legislative trackers for October 19-23 and October 26-30.

What’s on the Table for the Negotiations at COP31
Thursday, November 5
12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m.
Online only

This briefing will share what Congress can expect during the upcoming United Nations climate negotiations in Antalya, Türkiye (COP31). Hundreds of negotiating sessions and thousands of events will take place over the course of the two-week UN session. Whether traveling to Antalya or observing COP31 from D.C., this briefing will guide policymakers on how to engage effectively. RSVP here.

What Congress Needs to Know About COP31: Updates from Antalya
Tuesday, November 10, 2026 | Thursday, November 19, 2026 | Tuesday, November 24, 2026
10:00 – 10:30 a.m. 
Online only

This three-part Rapid Readout briefing series will provide key updates from this year’s United Nations climate negotiations in Antalya, Türkiye (COP31). Speakers across this series will assess progress made toward climate goals, provide updates on country commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve adaptation and resilience, and explain what it all means for U.S. climate policy. The Readouts will also unpack key announcements and commitments and highlight U.S. presence at COP31—including federal, subnational, and private sector roles in the proceedings. RSVP for each of the Readouts here.

From Ambition to Action: State Capacity and the Next Era of Environmental Policy
Wednesday, December 2
3:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Rayburn House Office Building, Room 2075 and online
Reception to follow

Public trust in government is at historic lows. To restore it, governments must demonstrate they can deliver on everyday issues like affordable housing and reliable energy—as well as on long-term challenges like extreme weather and grid resilience. This briefing, held in partnership with the Center for Regulatory Ingenuity at the Federation of American Scientists, will discuss how states can lay the foundation for a new era of federal environmental policy that is effective, durable, and popular. Panelists will discuss effective institutional design, a climate-ready workforce, strong public participation and stakeholder engagement, streamlined administrative processes, and outcomes-oriented program delivery. RSVP here, and join us for a reception following the briefing!

Latest Media Coverage

• Our data center water use article was cited by The Hill, Los Angeles magazine, and Indiana Public Radio.
• An op-ed in The British Medical Journal cited our article about military energy use.