Just Transition

Wisconsin Legislature Fails To Pass AB1203 On Net Zero 2050 And Carbon-Free Electricity Standards

Wisconsin Assembly Bill 1203, which proposed a 100% clean electricity mandate and economy-wide net-zero target by 2050, failed to pass the legislature in March 2026. While current obligations remain unchanged, the proposal signals a legislative push for aggressive decarbonization roadmaps and stringent labor requirements for utility-scale energy projects.

31 Mar 2026, 19:21docs.legis.wisconsin.govUnited States

Brazil Launches Plano Clima 2024–2035 National Climate Plan

Brazil has launched its National Climate Change Plan (Plano Clima 2024–2035), setting a 59–67% emissions reduction target by 2035 and a path to 2050 climate neutrality. This framework establishes 312 sectoral targets that will underpin future decarbonization regulations and green finance incentives across industry, energy, and transport.

27 Mar 2026, 20:15gov.brBrazil

Minnesota SF 4281 Proposes Thermal Energy Network Service Plan Requirements for Public Utilities

Minnesota SF 4281 proposes a formal regulatory framework for thermal energy networks, requiring utilities to file comprehensive service plans and gas-to-thermal transition strategies. This transition from pilot programs to a regulated utility model indicates a clear policy path toward mandatory building-level decarbonization and the eventual decommissioning of gas infrastructure.

27 Mar 2026, 20:11revisor.mn.govUnited States

Scottish Government Publishes Consultation Analysis On Draft Environment Strategy

The Scottish Government has published its Environment Strategy consultation analysis, confirming broad stakeholder support for an integrated framework to address nature loss, climate change, and pollution. This signals a shift toward more robust governance and stricter ecological targets, requiring businesses to prepare for future circular economy and net-zero policy mandates in Scotland.

27 Mar 2026, 18:42gov.scotUnited Kingdom

Netherlands Senate Discusses WKR Advice on Energy-Intensive Industry

The Dutch Senate is reviewing a Scientific Climate Council (WKR) report calling for radical industrial restructuring to achieve net-zero emissions by 2040. Energy-intensive sectors, including basic chemicals and refining, face increased pressure to decarbonize or scale down as the government shifts support toward "future-proof" sustainable industries.

27 Mar 2026, 18:41eerstekamer.nlNetherlands

Rhode Island Proposes Clean Heat Standard Act Establishing Tradeable Clean Heat Credits (H 7912)

Rhode Island has introduced legislation (H 7912) to establish a Clean Heat Standard requiring fossil fuel suppliers to retire tradeable emission credits starting July 2028. This signals a shift toward mandatory decarbonization of the thermal sector, forcing fuel distributors to pivot toward heat pump deployment and energy efficiency services to manage compliance costs.

27 Mar 2026, 11:46webserver.rilegislature.govUnited States

EU Parliament Questions Commission on Infringement Procedure Against Italy Under Directive (EU) 2024/1275 on Energy Performance of Buildings

The European Commission has launched infringement proceedings against Italy for non-compliance with the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD), facing pushback from MEPs regarding the feasibility of retrofit timelines. Businesses should anticipate stricter enforcement of building decarbonization targets across the EU, while monitoring potential legislative flexibility for regions with significant historic or heritage-protected property portfolios.

27 Mar 2026, 07:56europarl.europa.euEuropean UnionItaly

North Carolina DEQ Publishes Comprehensive Climate Action Plan to Meet 2030 Greenhouse Gas Targets

North Carolina has finalized its Comprehensive Climate Action Plan (CCAP), establishing a cross-sector roadmap to achieve a 50% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. Businesses should anticipate targeted incentives and future regulatory shifts in fleet electrification, building efficiency, and industrial decarbonization as the state aligns infrastructure investments with net-zero goals.

25 Mar 2026, 21:27deq.nc.govUnited States

EU Council Holds Exchange of Views on Post-2030 Climate Framework and 2040 Target

The EU Council is preparing a major legislative package for late 2026 to operationalize the 2040 climate target, involving comprehensive revisions to the EU ETS, Effort Sharing, and LULUCF regimes. Businesses should anticipate tighter emission caps alongside new flexibility mechanisms, including the integration of domestic carbon removals and international credits into the compliance framework.

22 Mar 2026, 14:11data.consilium.europa.euEuropean Union

Turkey Outlines COP31 Priorities And Domestic Climate Reforms To EU Ambassadors

Turkey has detailed its COP31 presidency priorities and domestic climate roadmap, including a 2026 nationwide deposit system rollout and the development of a national ETS and Green Taxonomy. This signals a rapid acceleration of Turkey’s alignment with EU Green Deal standards, creating new compliance and reporting obligations for industrial operations and circular economy practices.

19 Mar 2026, 15:27csb.gov.trTürkiyeEuropean Union

EU Commission Launches Call for Evidence on EU Coastal Communities Strategy

The European Commission has initiated a call for evidence to develop an EU Coastal Communities Strategy focused on climate resilience and blue economy growth. Maritime, fisheries, and infrastructure operators should monitor this development as it will likely drive new regional investment priorities and environmental compliance expectations by mid-2026.

17 Mar 2026, 19:53ec.europa.euEuropean Union

Netherlands PBL Publishes Socioeconomic Assessment of Nitrogen and Nature Measures Under PSN 2026

The Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (PBL) has published a socioeconomic assessment of the 2026 Nitrogen Reduction and Nature Improvement Program, confirming that nitrogen remains a primary constraint for environmental permitting. Companies in the agriculture and infrastructure sectors face prolonged investment uncertainty as the government evaluates further measures to address permitting bottlenecks in nitrogen-sensitive regions.

12 Mar 2026, 18:00pbl.nlNetherlands

European Commission JRC Working Paper Introduces Green EUROMOD Environmental Tax-Benefit Microsimulation Model

The European Commission’s Joint Research Centre has launched "Green EUROMOD," a new simulation tool to assess the impact of environmental tax reforms and carbon pricing across the EU. This model signals a shift toward more granular, data-driven policy design, likely leading to more targeted carbon-related taxes and "just transition" measures that will affect product pricing and consumer demand.

12 Mar 2026, 05:04publications.jrc.ec.europa.euEuropean Union

EU Parliament ENVI Committee Publishes Amendments 276–524 to Draft Opinion on European Competitiveness Fund Regulation

The EU Parliament’s ENVI committee has proposed extensive amendments to the European Competitiveness Fund, seeking to mandate stricter alignment with decarbonisation, circular economy, and "do no significant harm" principles. This signals a shift toward tying future industrial funding directly to strategic project status under the Net-Zero Industry Act and Critical Raw Materials Act.

12 Mar 2026, 05:02europarl.europa.euEuropean Union

EU Council ECOFIN Reviews French Proposal To Adjust CBAM for Outermost Regions

France has proposed targeted CBAM derogations for EU outermost regions to mitigate disproportionate economic impacts, discussed at the March 2026 ECOFIN meeting. This development signals potential regional flexibilities in the CBAM framework, requiring businesses to track evolving exemptions that may impact supply chain costs and compliance obligations.

11 Mar 2026, 17:08data.consilium.europa.euEuropean Union

Sweden Implements Targeted Electric Vehicle Premium From 18 March 2026

Sweden will implement a targeted electric vehicle subsidy on March 18, 2026, to support low-income rural households in transitioning to battery-electric transport. This initiative, aligned with the EU Social Climate Plan, highlights a growing policy focus on "just transition" mechanisms that leverage financial incentives to drive market demand in underserved segments.

11 Mar 2026, 14:02naturvardsverket.seSweden

Welsh Government Discussion Paper Seeks Views on Net Zero Transition 2026–2030 and Beyond

The Welsh Government is developing its 2026–2030 Net Zero emissions reduction plan, with a final strategy expected by late 2026 following ongoing stakeholder engagement. Businesses should monitor these emerging pathways in transport, land use, and energy to anticipate future regulatory shifts and align long-term decarbonization strategies with Welsh statutory targets.

11 Mar 2026, 12:55gov.walesUnited Kingdom

European Parliament Written Question On Sidex Galați Steel Plant

A European Parliament inquiry submitted in February 2026 seeks urgent EU support and a strategic development plan for the Sidex Galați steel plant in Romania. This highlights increasing political pressure for targeted EU industrial intervention and state aid to protect strategic assets critical to regional defense and infrastructure.

11 Mar 2026, 09:47europarl.europa.euEuropean UnionRomania

US House Introduces H.R. 7796 Economic Recovery for Nuclear-Affected Communities Act

The US House introduced H.R. 7796 in March 2026, proposing a federal framework for economic grants and tax incentives for communities hosting stranded nuclear waste. This legislation signals a shift toward federal financial support for "interim" storage sites, creating new funding pathways for site remediation and alternative land-use planning.

9 Mar 2026, 19:01govinfo.govUnited States

United States Issues Proclamation On Ratepayer Protection Pledge For Data Center Energy Costs

Seven major tech companies signed a White House-backed "Ratepayer Protection Pledge" in March 2026, committing to privately finance the energy infrastructure required for US data center expansion. This formalizes a "user-pays" national policy for energy-intensive AI growth, shifting infrastructure costs from residential ratepayers to corporate developers and signaling future expectations for private-sector grid investment.

9 Mar 2026, 18:52whitehouse.govUnited States