The Corps Network’s Post

According to a recent report by Climate Jobs National Resource Center, the Inflation Reduction Act’s tax incentives tied to labor standards could generate around 3.9 million jobs across 6,285 clean energy projects in development. Talk about impact! Learn more: https://lnkd.in/g6QHjVf4

How could we create a clean energy workforce that’s more diverse, equitable, and unionized? Join the Cornell University ILR School Climate Jobs Institute in Albany on March 1st and 2nd to engage in this question at our first statewide conference: “Generating Equity Pathways to Union Careers in Clean Energy.” This generative gathering will include labor unions, environmental justice groups, community advocates, government officials, industry partners, workforce development organizations, and others on the frontlines of building an equitable clean energy economy. Through panel discussions, breakout sessions, workshops, and networking opportunities, we’ll build relationships, exchange ideas, and spark collaboration towards creating good union jobs that prioritize frontline and historically marginalized communities. Register at https://lnkd.in/dXbRazKG This conference builds upon our recently released report “Building an Equitable, Diverse, and Unionized Clean Energy Economy: What We Can Learn from Apprenticeship Readiness”: https://lnkd.in/dKUb3xB2

I've spent the first part of this morning at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change Future of Britain conference. Tony Blair's keynote speech set out a reimagined state, triggered by wholesale embrace of new technologies. There was a lot to feel incredibly positive about, not least an opening from the brilliant Ayve Couloute who created Girls Into Coding and morning sessions which focused on huge UK opportunities (https://lnkd.in/eDhemHgV). I sat with a gnawing anxiety, though. There have been multiple attempts to reform the Civil Service. The intentions and values behind those attempts at reform have been mixed. In some instances, such as the Government Digital Service, the service can be proud and point to significant progress. But in more macro terms, the service as a whole has not reformed. Many of my former colleagues - some of the ones I was proudest to learn from - have already left the service. Others are on the brink of it. As a new Government and its allies set out big ambitions and new opportunities, I hope there's also going to be a programme of significant change and renewal for the Civil Service. Institutions are galvanised by change in leadership, it injects new energy. But energy alone isn't going to achieve the deep structural and cultural change that's required. I hope some of the best minds in and alongside Government will be applied to making that happen, so we can realise the potential set out this morning.

This report highlights the role of Building Performance Standards (BPS) and they can be a game-changer in national #decarbonisation efforts. 1. BPS are outcome-based policies aimed at reducing the #carbonimpact of existing buildings. 2. These standards support decarbonisation efforts across multiple industries and economic levels. 3. Buildings complying with BPS policies can remove emissions equivalent to 223 gas-powered passenger vehicles from the road. As state and local governments strive to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, BPS are gaining significant momentum. They play a vital role alongside building codes, assessment frameworks, and certification schemes in delivering on global climate goals.

Here is Marcie Webster-Mannison’s excellent article. It beautifully captures key points about the way energy efficiency of heating and cooling is calculated, how the current approach to regulation has not reduced energy consumption per household in Australia, the associated cost and material consumption impacts, the increased dependency it establishes ( physically … and I’d say, psychologically) on mechanical systems and our infatuation with shiny new things (especially digital one). A considerably more sophisticated scientific, technical and social (cultural) system has to be developed. At least, for now, we have to (re)open the discourse.

New CAST polling conducted in partnership with Ipsos UK, reveals that there is still strong public support from Britons for most net zero policies, despite higher levels of concern falling since 2022. 📢 Our CAST Director, Prof Lorraine Whitmarsh MBE, on what these results mean: "Our new polling shows there is still strong public support for many net zero policies amongst the public, with support highest for home energy efficiency policies and frequent flyer levies. Support tends to increase when considering the positive personal impacts of these policies for individuals. The findings confirm that policies which are fair, which provide wider benefits (e.g. lower energy bills) and which remove barriers to behaviour change tend to enjoy more public support; and that the public wants political parties to do more on climate." Read more about the findings: https://lnkd.in/ecQTW6eB #NetZero #PublicSupport #ClimateCrisis

As we say goodbye and good luck to our incredible summer intern, Piper Edwards, we are excited to kick off our new blog series, "A Change of Pace" with her first entry! Piper is passionate about the intersections of #ClimateJustice and #politics, and her blog explores #HurricaneBeryl's impact on Texas' energy grid and the urgent need to build more resilient, equitable, and reliable power systems in the face of #ClimateChange. Check out the full article down below!

Walker-Miller Energy Services showcases how bold climate policy and people-centered investment can come together to build a more just clean energy future. Medhini Kumar and Courtney Bourgoin highlight their success story and why it should be a model for others across the country to follow. https://lnkd.in/eceTM6KZ

✊🏿Black History Month at Student Energy continues!✊🏽 In this Research Recap we summarize some new and very accessible research that explores the the fossil fuel industry in the United States perpetuates racial inequality, and argues for comprehensive systemic change. “Fossil fuel racism in the United States: How phasing out coal, oil, and gas can protect communities" was authored by Timothy Q. Donaghy, Noel Healy, Charles Y. Jiang, and Colette Pichon Battle, and provides numerous case study examples of "fossil fuel racism" around the USA. Be sure to read the full article by following the link in our bio or at shorturl.at/nwLO0. Throughout Black History month we will be creating posts with an aim to provide a closer look at how energy issues and energy policy impacts Black communities in the United States. To round off the month we will be highlighting some young Black energy and climate innovators that you need to know about! Check us out online www.studentenergy.org for #YouthOpportunities and learn about our Theory of Change! #Youth #StudentEnergy #SEFellowship #GuidedProjects #ClimateJustice #JustTransition #SustainableFuture #YouthEmpowerment #YouthLed #EnergySupply #CleanEnergy #Renewables #Solar #Wind #Hydro #BlackHistoryMonth #BlackHistory #BHM #BHM2024

New out - article on "The role of funding in the ‘performative decarbonisation’ of transport in England" with Ersilia Verlinghieri at helm and Tim Schwanen Dr Tom Haines-Doran. It reflects on how local authorities are accessing funding (increasingly through competitions) and why this might lead to elite spaces where decarbonisation ideas come together - but why this falls well short of what is needed for the carbon budgets we have. Free to access https://lnkd.in/eh7cBXUn