Hello and welcome to Climate Change Solutions!

The UN Climate Summit (COP30) kicks off on Monday, November 10, in Belém, Brazil. Looking to catch up? We’ve got your back. This issue features updates on key commitments from recent COPs, an energy efficiency financing program that is reducing hydrofluorocarbon emissions in Ghana, and our latest podcast episode on the role of subnational actors at COP30.

And starting today, our online briefing series will bring you up to speed on the upcoming negotiations, progress on reducing emissions from coolants under the Global Cooling Pledge (launched at COP28), and the nexus of global trade and international climate policy. Our first briefing starts at noon EST—RSVP here!

Next, beginning November 10, we’re pressing pause on Climate Change Solutions to bring back our COP30 Dispatch, a daily newsletter that reports on key activities and outcomes from Brazil (click this link to see our October 31 introductory issue). We’ll also be tracking all key announcements and reports from Belém—stay tuned at our COP30 resources page.

Finally, once the thousands of participants head home after COP30, EESI will host our next Rapid Readout on November 25 to unpack the key outcomes of the summit and what comes next. You can RSVP here.

See you on the other side!

Looking to COP30, Here’s Where Key Past COP Announcements Stand
[10 min. read]

COP30 is an opportunity for reflection and course correction on previous international climate commitments. The United States has withdrawn from multiple key climate finance and mitigation pledges since COP29, leaving major gaps in funding and progress. This article examines progress to date on key goals set at previous COPs. [click for more]

Congress Rides a Coastal Resilience Wave: The House Committee on Natural Resources passed the Digital Coast Reauthorization Act of 2025 (H.R.4256). Reps. Dave Min (D-Calif.) and Rob Wittman (R-Va.) introduced the bill to reauthorize the Digital Coast program, which supports information, technology, and training needed to preserve and protect coastal communities from the growing threats of climate change.

Reuse Bill Cycles Through Senate: The Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works agreed to the Research for Environmental Uses and Sustainable Economies (REUSE) Act of 2025 (S.2110). Sens. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) and Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) introduced the bill, which directs the Environmental Protection Agency to collect data on and provide recommendations for plastics reuse and refill systems across the country.

Critical Partnerships: The Senate Committee on Foreign Relations advanced the Critical Minerals Partnership Act of 2025 (S.2250). The bill, introduced by Sens. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) and John Curtis (R-Utah), aims to strengthen international partnerships to develop secure supply chains for critical minerals. To learn more about critical minerals, check out EESI’s issue brief, Critical Minerals and the U.S. Clean Energy Transition.

Rolling the Credits: Reps. Mike Thompson (D-Calif.) and Richard Neal (D-Mass.) introduced the American Energy Independence and Affordability Act (H.R.5862). The bill aims to restore the clean vehicle tax credit and investment and production tax credits for clean energy sources, and extend the energy efficiency and clean hydrogen production tax credits, which were established by the Inflation Reduction Act (P.L.117-69) but phased out by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (P.L. 119-21).

We track all environmental, energy, and climate legislation and hearings happening on Capitol Hill. See the full legislative trackers for October 20-24 and October 27-31.

What’s on the Table for the Negotiations
TODAY!
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Online only

This briefing will cover key issues on the COP30 negotiating agenda, including determining metrics for climate adaptation and charting the path towards international climate finance goals. RSVP here.

Keeping it Cool: International Efforts to Reduce Emissions from Refrigerants
Tomorrow (Wednesday, November 5)
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Online only

Panelists will explore progress made towards the Global Cooling Pledge, from nature-based and passive cooling to refrigerant technologies with low global warming potential. RSVP here.

International Trade and Climate Policy
Thursday, November 6
12:00 p.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Online only

This discussion will focus on multilateral efforts to reduce trade-related greenhouse gas emissions, as well as climate-related policies being proposed in the United States and abroad. RSVP here.

Rapid Readout | COP30 Outcomes and What’s Next
Tuesday, November 25
12:00 p.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Online only

This Rapid Readout will unpack where the COP30 negotiations landed. Speakers will also discuss the U.S. presence at COP30, including federal, subnational, and private sector roles in the proceedings; highlight next steps following COP30; and explain what it all means for U.S. climate policy. RSVP here.

Latest Media Coverage

• EESI President Daniel Bresette appeared on the Federal News Network’s Federal Drive program to talk about the future of FEMA and our Rapid Readout on the topic.
• Carbon Pulse covered our October 22 briefing on cutting industrial emissions.
• Our article on data center water use was cited in pieces by The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Final Call, The Island Packet, and The Ledger Transcript.
• DC Journal cited our 2025 critical minerals issue brief in an article on domestic critical mineral mining in Alaska.