Policies to reduce carbon dioxide emissions can yield substantial co-benefits via reduced emissions of co-pollutants such as particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, and air toxics. Valuation studies suggest that these benefits may be comparable in magnitude to the value of reduced carbon emissions. However, co-pollutant intensity (the ratio of co-benefits to carbon dioxide emissions) varies across pollution sources, and so efficient policy design would seek greater emissions reductions where co-benefits are higher. Moreover, because co-pollutant impacts are localized, the distribution of co-benefits raises important issues of equity, particularly with regard to the unintentional income, racial, and geographic disparities that might result from carbon-charge programs, whether they are trading or fee approaches. This paper presents evidence on intersectoral and spatial variations in co-pollutant intensity and discusses options for integrating co-benefits into climate policy to advance the goals of efficiency and equity.

An executive summary of this report is also available, as well as a press release.

On the occasion of the 42nd Annual Legislative Conference of the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation, the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, the Commission to Engage African Americans on Climate Change, and Ecotrust invite you to join us for a panel discussion to release a new report on September 20, 2012.

Cooling the Planet, Clearing the Air: Should Climate Policies Give Extra Credit for Maximizing Short-term Health Benefits? will be presented by its authors, James Boyce, Ph.D. of the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Manuel Pastor, Ph.D. of the University of Southern California.

Opening remarks will be given by special guest The Honorable James E. Clyburn (D-SC).

Space is limited. Please RSVP by September 19th, 2012 by emailing rsvpenviro@jointcenter.org. Kindly include your name and organizational affiliation.

At Women, Business, and the New Economy, a forum hosted by the American Sustainable Business Council and held in conjunction with the Democratic National Convention, key women leaders in business and sustainability will look at the importance of corporate social responsibility, benefits and pay equity, access to capital, health, and the environment. The program also explores blended value ecosystems as they relate to women, human rights, and sustainability.

Danielle Deane, director of the Energy and Environment Program, will take part in a forum dialogue session entitled "A Conversation on Climate Change, Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability."

To learn more, visit the American Sustainable Business Council.

Business leaders are gathering with policy makers to explore how to move toward a sustainable economy at two policy forums hosted by the American Sustainable Business Council (ASBC) being held in conjunction with the Democratic National Convention. The actor and anti-cancer crusader Fran Drescher will be speaking about the importance of regulation to protect public health. She will make a keynote address at the half-day program on “Women, Business & the New Economy,” on September 6, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Another program, “Building a Sustainable Economy,” will be held on September 5, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Both events are at Hearst Tower, 47th Floor, 214 North Tryon Street in Charlotte. They are open to the public, but online registration is required at http://asbcouncil.org/conventions.

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At ASBC’s forum, “Women, Business and the New Economy,” on September 6, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM, key women leaders in business and sustainability will look at the importance of corporate social responsibility, benefits and pay equity, access to capital, health, and the environment. The program also explores blended value ecosystems as they relate to women, human rights, and sustainability. In addition to Fran Drescher, participants include Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, D-IL, Kim Jordan, CEO, New Belgium Brewery; Faith Taylor, Vice President of Sustainability and Innovation, Wyndham Group Worldwide; Melissa Fitzgerald, Actor, The West Wing and Chasing the Hill; Danielle Deane, Director of Energy and Environment Program, Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies;
and Natalia Oberti Noguera, Founder and CEO, Pipeline Fellowship.

Download the full press release below.

The new automobile fuel efficiency standards are good for the nation and especially welcome in communities of color.  Any time we can make major advancements in cleaning the air and reducing the emissions that cause climate change—as these standards will do—we will see an enormous positive impact on people of color, whom studies show are the most adversely impacted by dirty air and the warming of the planet.  Clearly, the goal of more and better jobs and greater opportunity for all is firmly linked with that of a cleaner economy and a more healthful environment.  We applaud the EPA and the auto manufacturers for working together to establish these standards and thereby point the way toward a brighter future for all our communities.

Please see the full job posting here.

The calls for an additional presidential debate moderated by (and aimed at) minorities escalated on Friday.

Ralph B. Everett, the chief executive of the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, a research and analysis center that focuses on the socioeconomic status of blacks and other minorities, sent a letter to Janet H. Brown, executive director of the Commission on Presidential Debates. He urged her to reconsider the commission’s rejection of a plea by Univision to stage a presidential debate moderated by its own Jorge Ramos and Maria Elena, or another host of Hispanic origin.

“It has long been the practice of the television industry to avoid placing people of color in front of the camera,” Mr. Everett wrote. He said he hoped the commission would embrace Univision’s proposal “by adding more debates to the calendar.”

Read more at nytimes.com.

The Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies supports AT&T’s campaign against texting and driving. The It Can Wait campaign provides statistics, stories, and experiences to create a clear picture of the consequences of texting behind the wheel. Ultimately, It Can Wait reminds drivers, particularly teenage drivers, that sending or receiving one simple message while driving can forever change their lives and the lives of those around them.

As an organization focused on issues surrounding people of color, we are well aware that African Americans and Latinos are some of the heaviest consumers of mobile technology in America. We believe programs like It Can Wait are crucial to keep these communities abreast of safety concerns involving their devices, especially behind the wheel. We applaud AT&T for its efforts to educate Americans on the dangers of texting and driving.

NASHVILLE, TN – Implementing simple, inexpensive energy efficiency measures in their church facilities can enable African Methodist Episcopal congregations across America to redirect significant amounts of money from utility payments to fulfilling their missions in communities, an official from the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies told delegates attending an AME convention here today.

Danielle Deane, Director of the Joint Center’s Energy and Environment Program, used the occasion to report on her organization’s joint energy-saving project with the AME church. She noted that more than a dozen churches have been evaluated in its initial phase, and some of them have already completed low- and no-cost retrofits and upgrades that they expect to maximize their energy efficiency and save them money that can be applied to other church priorities.

“This project offers us an unparalleled opportunity to share environmental best practices in a way that can positively affect hundreds of churches and thousands of churchgoers,” she said at the 49th Quadrennial Session of the AME Church General Conference, which was expected to draw about 30,000 people to Nashville.  “Our goal is to put energy efficiency on the minds of more Americans as we all work toward making a better world.”