Speed & Scale

NYC’s congestion pricing is already clearing up traffic—and commute times prove it. Meanwhile, carbon removal is scaling fast but still has a long road ahead. Our latest newsletter breaks down the numbers and what they mean for climate progress ⬇️ https://lnkd.in/ev79fqpu

Let us reintroduce ourselves. Speed & Scale is a global initiative to move leaders to act on the climate crisis. Our goal: reach net-zero emissions by 2050—and get halfway there by 2030. The challenge is massive, but the pathway is clear. The Speed & Scale plan lays out six objectives—five tackling major sectors (Transportation, Power, Food, Nature, Industry) and one dedicated to carbon removal. All to preserve a habitable planet for future generations. We’ve got to go for the gigatons. That means focusing on the top 20 emitters, scaling the biggest levers for change, and tracking progress relentlessly. Because we can only manage what we measure. Follow along on our socials and subscribe to our newsletter to keep up with the latest progress. 🔗https://lnkd.in/gx5Yevnb 

The devastating wildfires sweeping Los Angeles are a stark reminder of how extreme weather patterns can create perilous conditions and lead to natural disasters ⬇️ Last winter, a torrent of torrential and deadly rainstorms in Southern California caused dense vegetation growth. Then came nearly a year of exceptional drought, in which Los Angeles received just 2 percent of its normal rainfall. With the vegetation dangerously dry and powerful Santa Ana winds gusting over 100 miles per hour, this “weather whiplash” contributed to one of the most destructive and costliest wildfire events in U.S. history. Across LA County, over 12,000 structures (schools, homes, businesses) are gone, and over 40,300 acres have burned. While the devastation has been widely reported, the full extent of the impact is still unfolding. With at least 24 fatalities and damages estimated to climb to over $50 billion, this tragedy highlights the need to address the compounding impacts of a warming planet and volatile weather on urban and natural ecosystems alike.  If you are looking for ways to donate or support these communities: https://lnkd.in/gdQE_cjK

Our latest newsletter zeroes in on critical climate developments, from record-breaking EV sales in China to new findings on the fragility of the home insurance market amid worsening climate disasters. These highlights are just snippets of the larger story—read our newsletter to learn more: https://lnkd.in/gwJzUndu

Both industry and financial institutions (lenders) play critical roles in helping countries to scale clean energy investments and meet their net zero emissions goals. In 2021, the Net-Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA), a U.N.-sponsored coalition, set out to do just that, working with some of the world’s biggest banks to commit to shifting their lending and investment portfolios to align with pathways to reach net zero by 2050 or sooner.    Recently, the six largest U.S. banks—Goldman Sachs, Wells Fargo, Citi, Bank of America, Morgan Stanley, and JPMorgan—withdrew from NZBA and BlackRock is leaving the Net Zero Asset Managers Initiative (NZAM). These exits stem from political scrutiny and antitrust concerns related to commitments to reduce fossil fuel lending. While these departures are concerning, they must be viewed in perspective. U.S. banks remain part of the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ) and none have signaled a departure from their own net zero goals.   Given the stated goals of the incoming administration and the Republican Congressional leadership, the U.S. will most definitely be pursuing an all-of-the-above strategy for energy production and deployment: fossil fuels, renewables, and nuclear. As demands on our nation’s grids keep rising, clean energy technologies must continue to be in the mix at scale. Lenders, investors, and asset managers will be essential to these efforts–and to preserve their commitments to decarbonize. 💡 Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date on critical climate developments: https://lnkd.in/gx5Yevnb

What if one simple habit could transform your health in 2025? The latest TED-Ed video uncovers the surprising benefits of walking—diving into how even a modest increase in steps can make a difference🚶♀️ Learn why 10,000 steps might be more than just a health goal by watching the latest TED-Ed video: https://lnkd.in/gfq8w4Yk

Do you really need to walk 10,000 steps a day? And what exactly happens to your body when you increase your step count? Dig into how this simple exercise impacts your body and brain:

As 2024 comes to a close, we’re reflecting on the climate progress made and the urgent need for continued, ambitious action. This year brought incredible wins across key climate objectives—from more affordable EVs to record-breaking renewable energy growth. It also highlighted the growing connections between climate, economic, and social outcomes. Looking ahead to 2025, climate action remains an all-hands-on-deck challenge. Progress will depend on bold policies, innovative technologies, and collective efforts from every corner of society. From policymakers to innovators to global citizens, we all have a role to play. Check out the highlights of 2024 progress and what’s ahead for 2025 below. Let’s recharge this holiday season and hit the ground running in 2025. From all of us at Speed & Scale, happy holidays and here’s to a powerful year ahead! 🌎 🚗 1.0 - Electrify Transportation: Lithium battery prices fell 20% this year, boosting the affordability of EVs. https://bit.ly/49XD0u5  💡 2.0 - Decarbonize the Grid: Solar power installations surged 29% globally. https://bit.ly/3Ds47Bh  🐄 3.0 - Fix Food: Denmark introduced the first agricultural emissions tax to green its food system. https://bit.ly/3ZVyGHb  🌳 4.0 - Protect Nature: Brazil reduced Amazon deforestation by nearly 31%. https://bit.ly/4iVD81q  🧱 5.0 - Clean Up Industry: China expanded its emissions trading scheme to key industrial sectors. https://bit.ly/3PdkWCI  🧹 6.0 - Remove Carbon: Iceland’s Mammoth plant became the world’s largest direct air capture facility. https://bit.ly/4gTqrlL  🏛️ 7.0 - Win Policy: The UK halved carbon emissions from their peak while doubling its economy. https://bit.ly/4gWtTfH  🏃 8.0 - Turn Movements Into Action: Nuclear energy reemerged as a clean power solution. https://bit.ly/4fAHRCL  ⚡ 9.0 - Innovate: Geothermal energy’s potential to meet global demand gained traction. https://bit.ly/4gP5W9V  💰 10.0 - Invest: Green bond issuance hit record highs in early 2024. https://bit.ly/4fwQvSR

This Thanksgiving, let’s address the waste behind the abundance. 🦃 ReFED estimates that Americans wasted 312 million pounds of food last Thanksgiving—over 10 pounds per 10-person dinner, making the day of gratitude the most wasteful day of the year. Proper meal planning helps prevent waste at the source, while embracing leftovers, donating surplus food, and composting reduce methane emissions from landfill disposal. Together, these actions move us closer to Speed & Scale's Objective 3 goal: Cutting global food waste to 10% by 2050. Learn more about our progress on food waste here: https://lnkd.in/e-2N_pEd

Uncover the oil industry’s multibillion-dollar decades-long campaign to discredit scientific research and spread misinformation regarding the danger of fossil fuels: