The Town Suing Duke Energy

Current conditions: Schools in Delhi have reopened but smog levels remain high • Storm Darragh could bring 80 mph winds to parts of the UK • Powerful snow squalls are making life difficult for large parts of the Northeastern U.S.

THE TOP FIVE

1. An update on the World Court’s big climate case

A representative from the United States yesterday told the International Court of Justice that existing climate regimes – and specifically the United Nations framework convention on climate change and the Paris Agreement – are the world’s “best hope for protecting the climate system for the benefit of present and future generations.” The statement drew fire from small island nations and climate campaigners, who want to see the World Court recommend that big emitters like the U.S. be held legally responsible for the harm they do to the global climate. But it seems the U.S. thinks existing guidelines are good enough, even though it’s unclear how long the U.S. will remain committed to the Paris Agreement under another Trump presidency. Other major emitters, including China, Australia, and Saudi Arabia, have made similar arguments as part of the landmark case. “These nations, some of the world’s largest greenhouse gas emitters, have pointed to existing treaties and commitments that have regrettably failed to motivate substantial reductions in emissions,” said Ralph Regenvanu, special envoy for climate change and environment for the island nation of Vanuatu. “Let me be clear: These treaties are essential, but they cannot be a veil for inaction or a substitute for legal accountability.” The hearings, which started Monday, will go on for two weeks and an opinion from the court is due next year.

2. North Carolina town sues Duke Energy

And speaking of court cases, the small town of Carrboro, North Carolina, is suing Duke Energy for allegedly deceiving the public for decades about the climate dangers of fossil fuels, thus delaying and complicating the energy transition. This is the nation’s first climate accountability lawsuit against an energy utility, and was supported by the city’s mayor. Carrboro is seeking damages for the costs of adaptation measures like infrastructure improvements, as well as for rising energy costs.

3. EVs help boost November car sales

U.S. electric vehicle sales numbers are trickling in for November. Which automakers had a good month?

• Hyundaiposted its best-ever November sales numbers, boosted by its electric lineup. Sales of all electric models (including EVs, hybrids, and plug-in hybrids) were up by 92% compared to the same period last year. The IONIQ 5 SUV set a new sales record, with sales jumping 110% year-over-year.
• Hyundai’s sister company Kia also saw record November sales, thanks in part to the EV6 and EV9. Sales of the EV6 so far this year are up 11% compared to 2023.
• Honda set a monthly sales record for electrified models, buoyed by its Prologue EV, which only debuted earlier this year. It sold more than 6,800 Prologues, up from 4,100 in October, bringing the total to more than 25,000. “That’s a stark contrast from not selling one single EV in the U.S. last year,” said Peter Johnson at Electrek. “Honda is proving that electric vehicle demand is not ‘slowing’ or ‘cooling.’ All it takes is the right model at an affordable price.”
• And Ford set a new monthly record for EV sales, selling 10,821 all-electric models, up 21% year-over-year. The Mach-E crossover SUV has been really popular, but sales of the F-150 Lightning are struggling.

4. Colorado 1st in the nation for total EV market share

Colorado surpassed California in Q3 to become the state with the highest EV market share. EVs now make up 25.3% of new car sales in Colorado, according to the Northeast States for Coordinated Air Use Management, and 82% of EVs sold there are fully electric.

NESCAUM

The Colorado governor’s office noted that in addition to being eligible for the $7,500 federal tax credit for EV purchases, Coloradans can also get a $5,000 state tax credit. In the U.S. as a whole, EVs accounted for about 9% of total car sales in Q3. In the UK, 25% of new cars were fully electric last month.

5. Coca-Cola weakens its plastic goals

In case you missed it: The Coca-Cola Company is “evolving” its voluntary environmental goals, walking back its commitments to reducing plastic waste. Here’s how the updates compare to the previous targets:

On sustainable packaging
Previous goal: At least 50% of packaging will be made from recycled materials by 2030.
New goal: Between 35% to 40% of packaging will be made from recycled materials by 2035.

On recycling
Previous goal: For each bottle or can of product it sells, the company will collect and recycle the equivalent plastic by 2030.
New goal: Collect 70% to 75% of bottles and cans that enter the market. No timeline given.

The company also seems to have gotten rid of its commitment to “have at least 25% of all beverages globally across its portfolio of brands sold in refillable/returnable glass or plastic bottles, or in refillable containers” by 2030. Coca-Cola products account for 11% of global plastic pollution, according to a recent study.

THE KICKER

The Pope has a new popemobile, a modified electric Mercedes-Benz G-Class:

YouTube/Vatican News