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When it comes to the private sector's efforts to curb climate change, the rubber hit the road at New York Climate Week. Companies and their nonprofit partners announced numerous milestones and hosted discussions throughout the city to translate lofty goals into action. Meanwhile, new initiatives were launched to deepen collaboration among the private sector, governments and civil society.

The Irish declaration follows a similar action from UK's parliament May 1. The governments of Wales and Scotland have also declared climate emergencies.

In a delay for the EPA's Clean Power Plan, the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit yesterday said the full court will hear oral arguments on the carbon emissions rule on Sept. 27. A three-judge panel had been scheduled to hear the case on June 2.

The California Assembly has passed a bill that would require the state to curb its greenhouse gas emissions 40% below 1990 levels by 2030. "With S.B. 32 we continue California's leadership on climate change," Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon said.

The EPA concluded that GHG emissions produced by jet engines are harmful to human health and welfare, as they contribute to climate change.

Washington DC enacted a law committing the district to 50% renewable energy by 2032. In addition, the bill lays out a program to cut electricity bills in half for about 100,000 district residents by 2032 through the use of renewables.

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 EPA today released final standards for new and modified municipal solid waste landfills and emission guidelines for existing landfills. Under the final rules, new, modified and existing landfills will begin capturing and controlling landfill gas emissions at levels that are one-third lower than current requirements, updating 20-year-old standards for existing landfills.

President Barack Obama will have a wide-ranging legacy of environmental action, said Gina McCarthy, administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency. As for the relationship between EPA and Congress, she said, "It's always been a struggle, but it's always been that Republicans and Democrats care about the health of their kids."

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.

Greenhouse gas emissions in the US totaled 6,501,000 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2012, a 3.3 percent reduction from the previous year, according to an annual draft report by the EPA.

The White House released a new strategy Friday to address methane emissions from landfills, mines, agriculture, and the oil and gas sector.

Up to $10 million in grants from the Department of Energy will be available for advanced biofuel and other biobased product initiatives. The program is in support of the agency's aim to lower the cost of advanced biofuels to $3 per gallon of gasoline equivalent by 2022.

New CDP report shows 150 major companies already use an internal price on carbon and many more are calling for clear pricing to help regulate emissions

The Obama administration's rule leans heavily on renewable energy to meet its goal to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 32 percent by 2030, which is an increase of 2 percentage points from the draft it released in the summer of 2014. While states have two additional years until they must begin cutting emissions - 2022 instead of 2020 - they are expected to start devising ways to improve their environments, which will focus on shifting to cleaner burning fuels and away from carbon-heavy ones. "The trend we are on will get us there," says Rob Gramlich, senior vice president for government affairs at the American Wind Energy Association, in a phone interview. "As the nation moves from coal to gas, and as it adds more wind, solar and energy efficiency, we will reach that 32 percent target."

The Obama administration's Clean Power Plan rule will require states to begin cutting carbon emissions by 2022. "The trend we are on will get us there. As the nation moves from coal to gas, and as it adds more wind, solar and energy efficiency, we will reach that 32% target," said Rob Gramlich of the American Wind Energy Association. To comply, states can choose among options including boosting renewables, improving heat rates for coal-fired steam generators, and using more nuclear energy and lower-emitting natural gas. Forbes (8/4) 

There are an estimated 455 eco-labels in use, creating a poorly regulated "wild west" that does little to inform consumers about the products they buy and often have no verifiable criteria, experts say. "There are too many labels out there. And too few of them are the real thing," says Valerie Davis, co-founder of EnviroMedia

Products that don't use recycled plastic will cost 10 percent more in the future, according to a government plan.

This city known for its Hollywood glamour is set to become the latest to say fur doesn't fly. Without dissent, Los Angeles put itself on track to become the largest U.S. city to ban the sale of fur clothing and accessories after a unanimous vote of the city council Tuesday.