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More than 400 federal facilities achieved $42 million in cost savings and environmental benefits last year as part of the Federal Green Challenge (FGC).

Federal agencies must disclose how their actions will impact climate change, according to White House guidance issued today. Read more: http://www.environmentalleader.com/2016/08/02/white-house-to-federal-agencies-consider-climate-change-impacts-of-your-actions/#ixzz4II292aQe

The Federal Emergency Management Agency will soon require states to examine the impacts of global warming on their communities as a condition for receiving federal disaster preparedness funding, according to draft guidelines released by the agency earlier this month.

President Obama will issue an Executive Order to cut the Federal Government's GHG emissions by 40% and increase its consumption of electricity from renewable sources by 30% over the next decade, compared to 2008 levels. The plan is projected to save taxpayers up to $18 billion in avoided energy costs.

Ben & Jerry's, Stonyfield Farm, and over 200 other companies and organizations signed a letter urging President Obama to institute a national labeling system for genetically engineered foods.

Canadian Environment Minister Catherine McKenna has pledged to power 100% of the federal government's operations using renewables by 2025. "The government needs to be a key player to support the acceleration of clean growth -- not only through policy, but by investing and showing leadership," she said.

The Minnesota National Guard installed solar panels and geothermal systems at its Camp Ripley base in an effort to reach zero emissions. The Guard earned a silver LEED rating for its readiness center and hopes to achieve a similar rating for all of its federally funded buildings.

Wind generation in the US has the potential to reach grid parity with natural gas and other energy sources by 2035 without any federal support, according to consulting firm Macquarie Research. "We believe the US is now the most attractive wind market in the world due to the increased visibility of demand in the long term," Macquarie said.

The Senate voted 63-30 last week to pass a federal bill requiring food manufacturers to label products made with genetically modified ingredients, using either wording on packaging, a logo or a website link. The bill is expected to be considered on the House floor this week.

The Secure E-waste Export and Recycling Act recently introduced in Congress would prohibit exporting electronic waste to other countries. Although 27 states and the District of Columbia have e-waste recycling laws, there are no federal laws governing the practice.

Republicans on the House Appropriations Committee rejected an amendment on Tuesday that would allow the federal government to allocate funds toward the UN Green Climate Fund. "The Green Climate Fund is the only multilateral institution that supports clean, resilient development around the world," said Rep. Nita Lowey, D-N.Y., adding that the US should be leading the initiative.

Apple seems to be embedding its renewable energy commitments into its corporate structure. The company recently created a new wholly-owned subsidiary known as Apple Energy LLC and filed an application to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), which regulates power companies, to be able to sell electricity and other power grid services to non-utility customers. The move is a strong sign that Apple will not only fulfill its plans to operate on 100 percent renewable energy through net-metering, but plans to generate and sell renewable energy back to the grid.

Some of China's provinces and companies, however, are moving into business operations that foster the growth of the circular economy, which means designing products that can be taken apart, re-blended or recycled so that waste is not an end result. This is complemented by the fact that the China Petroleum and Chemical Industry Federation (CPCIF) recently signed on to the World Plastics Council, which also has a goal of reducing plastic waste in the environment. 

The eco-diapers business gDiapers has reached a settlement with the Federal Trade Commission on allegations that gDiapers' products aren't as easily compostable as the company claimed. The company will stop posting such claims unless they are verified

The Coca-Cola Company, General Mills, Kraft Foods and the other 300-plus food companies that are members of the Grocery Manufacturers Association will soon lobby the US food safety regulator and Congress for a single federal standard covering oversight and labeling of new genetically modified foods, Reuters reports.

the Chicago-based aviation giant reported that it is stepping up efforts to expand the use of sustainable aviation biofuel by seeking U.S. Federal Aviation Administration approval for its aircraft to fly on "green diesel." The proposed new source of aviation biofuel emits at least half the lifecycle carbon dioxide as traditional petroleum-based jet fuel, according to Boeing.

Baby products company gDiapers has made false or misleading claims about how its diapers and wipes decompose, according to the Federal Trade Commission.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency is responsible for handling America's response to extreme weather events such as wildfires and floods, but some experts say the agency isn't adequately factoring climate issues into its strategic planning processes.

General Electric did not mention environmental harm it caused by dumping chemicals into New York's Hudson River, according to federal officials.

A federal judge ordered Citgo Petroleum to pay more than $2 million for Clean Air Act violations over toxic emissions at its refinery in Corpus Christi, Texas, from 1994 to 2003.