Hello and welcome to Climate Change Solutions!

Washington, D.C., experienced a record-late 90 degree day last week before returning decidedly to fall weather. At last, we’re retrieving our sweaters and scarves and shifting our focus to the fall ahead. First on our minds: the UN Climate Summit (COP31), which kicks off on November 9. If you’re looking to catch up—whether heading to the COP31 host city of Antalya, Türkiye, or observing the climate negotiations from your desk—our latest article discusses updates on key commitments made last year at COP30. And on November 5, we’re hosting an online briefing about what to expect at COP31 and how policymakers can engage effectively. RSVP here, and scroll on for details!

This issue, we’re also bringing you the latest episode of our podcast, The Climate Conversation. We sat down with two experts behind Delaware’s anticipated Ocean and Bay Plan, which will facilitate responsible marine resource management.

Finally, we have two updates about our recent briefings that are still particularly timely. Summary notes are now available for our briefing about the impacts of the 2026-2027 Super El Niño, which is projected to bring the warmest winter on record. And the recording is available for our October 7 panel, Bridging the Transmission Gap, which included discussion about the permitting bill everyone is talking about.

Article | Looking to COP31, Here’s Where Key Past COP Announcements Stand
[7 min. read]

COP31 will take place in Antalya, Türkiye—with Australia presiding over the formal negotiations—from November 9 to November 20. The annual UN climate summit offers an opportunity to revisit the status of international climate commitments. This article examines progress to date on key outcomes from COP30. [click for more]

A Win for Fisheries: The Illegal Red Snapper and Tuna Enforcement Act (P.L. 119-123) was signed into law. Sens. Ted Cruz (R-Texas), Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii), Katie Britt (R-Ala.), and Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) led the bill through Congress to direct the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to develop traceability methods for determining whether red snapper and certain tuna species being imported to the United States were caught illegally. Illegal fishing contributes to fishery depletion and threatens economic and food security around the world.

New Law Puts the Power in Hydropower: The President also enacted the Crow Tribes Water Rights Settlement Amendments Act of 2025 (P.L. 119-122), led by Sens. Steve Daines (R-Mont.) and Tim Sheehy (R-Mont.). The new law gives the Tribe more flexibility to develop and advance their own water infrastructure projects, such as hydropower generation on the Yellowtail Afterbay Dam.

Bipartisan House Bill Raises Hope for Farmers: Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-Fla.), alongside Reps. Scott Franklin (R-Fla.), Darren Soto (D-Fla.), and Kat Cammack (R-Fla.), introduced the RAISE Act of 2026 (H.R.10749). The bill directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture to provide block grants to states to compensate for damage to high-value crops after extreme weather events and other disasters.

Coastal Collaboration: Reps. Mike Ezell (R-Miss.) and Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.) introduced the Regional Ocean Partnership Reauthorization Act (H.R.10756) to continue NOAA’s Regional Ocean Partnerships program through 2031. These partnerships facilitate coordination across coastal states, stakeholders, and the federal government on ocean and coastal conservation and adaptation. Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) leads the bill’s bipartisan Senate counterpart (S.3971).

We track all environmental, energy, and climate legislation and hearings happening on Capitol Hill. See the full legislative trackers for October 5-9 and October 12-16.

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.

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

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