Climate Leadership Council

Happy Holidays from the Council! We look forward to forging new partnerships and continuing our work in driving meaningful climate action in 2025.

It’s Michael-Ann Matticoli’s 3rd year work anniversary at the Council. We're grateful to have you on our team!

As we wrap up another impactful year, we reflect on our progress in advancing market-based climate solutions and the path ahead. Highlights from this past year include: 1. Harnessing America’s strengths to lead the future economy and global decarbonization 2. Driving progress on both sides of the aisle 3. Serving as a trusted resource 4. Continued work with our friends and partners We are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead in 2025 as we continue to engage with policymakers, businesses, and stakeholders to drive meaningful climate action. Thank you to everyone who has supported our mission this year! 

🌟  Meet Carly Kessler, our Policy and Government Relations Associate at the Council!    Carly plays a vital role in supporting our policy and engagement efforts and navigating legislation that impacts our environment and economy. We appreciate all the ways you contribute to the Council! 

Last week, Senior Vice President of Policy and Research, Catrina Rorke joined Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) at the 15th Annual Rhode Island Energy, Environment and Ocean Leaders Day to discuss carbon border adjustments mechanisms (CBAM) and the future of climate policy.

In our latest Nexus newsletter, we highlight the critical developments shaping climate and trade policy as we approach 2025. These changes include the EU's CBAM transitional period ending, more countries considering carbon import fees, and a changing U.S. political landscape for climate and trade legislation.

Congratulations to Patrick McKenna Jr. for reaching the milestone of 2 years at the Climate Leadership Council! Thank you for all your contributions and for being an integral part of the Council team. 

Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) released a discussion draft today with significant updates to his Foreign Pollution Fee Act legislation. In light of this draft, we encourage you to check out our paper on carbon import fees and the WTO. We break down exactly why these fees are used, how they operate, and what kind of issues may arise at the WTO. These fees are gaining traction for several reasons: - They create global incentives for emissions reduction - They help prevent "carbon leakage" to countries with lax environmental standards - They address the "carbon loophole" (the 20-25% of global emissions tied to imported goods)

🚨 We're hiring for a Director, Government Relations 🚨 The Climate Leadership Council and Americans for Carbon Dividends are looking for a highly motivated, strategic leader to join our team as Director, Government Relations! This role will drive our efforts to impact public policy and build key relationships with congressional offices and the executive branch. We’re looking for candidates who are highly ambitious, focused on positive outcomes, eager to work collaboratively, and operate with impeccable integrity. Interested in joining our team? Check out the full job description on our website at https://lnkd.in/gbAgtUq6 and submit your resume and cover letter to applicants@clcouncil.org.

From our archives: It’s been decades since the Montreal Protocol successfully reduced ozone-depleting substances like HCFCs, but the core lessons still resonate today. A recent milestone—a 0.75% drop in HCFC levels—shows how targeted international partnerships and trade incentives can drive major environmental progress. As we face the climate challenge, we can apply this same model to carbon emissions. The U.S. can lead by forging trade agreements that reward countries for cleaner manufacturing, while providing incentives to lower-income nations to adopt green practices. Read more: https://buff.ly/3Zi0Ziz