Moving the U.S. toward 100% clean

If the world is to avert the worst climate impacts, the U.S. must achieve a 100% clean economy by 2050.

That means adding no more climate pollution to the atmosphere than we remove. EDF is working to make net zero a reality.

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Methane

Carbon markets

Reaching 100% clean has been likened to the Apollo moon shot. To get there, we need to transform how we generate power and decarbonize every sector of the economy.

A key focus is transportation, the country’s largest source of greenhouse gas emissions. Cleaning up this sector also provides immediate health benefits to neighborhoods near transportation hubs that suffer from high levels of pollution.

28%

of U.S. climate pollution is from transportation, the largest source, followed by electricity generation.

States and companies in the lead

In 2020, EDF prompted 15 states, including California and New York, that together represent about one-third of the truck market, to commit that 30% of medium- and heavy-duty trucks and buses sold in their jurisdictions will be zero emission by 2030. We also helped convene a coalition of manufacturers, including market leaders Cummins and Daimler, to call for federal funding to develop truck charging infrastructure.

Christine Weydig, director of energy and environment programs at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, is one of many EDF allies taking action. Weydig is helping her agency electrify bus and car fleets and ground-service equipment across three major airports.

It has everything to do with stewardship and really caring for nature and caring for the planet.

Christine Weydig Director of Energy and Environment Programs at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

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Christine Weydig shares her motivation for working toward a cleaner future

A greener electric grid

As cars, trucks and buses switch to electricity, America must also clean up its electric grid. EDF is working with electric utilities to decarbonize their operations, winning commitments from Arizona Public Service and Xcel Energy to help realize the goal of a carbon-free power sector by 2035.

EDF also secured progress with partners in the states. We helped advance carbon limits in Oregon and were instrumental in Pennsylvania’s move to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, a coalition of states setting limits on carbon emissions. We also helped California defend its authority to coordinate with Quebec on reducing climate pollution, a key part of the state’s climate plan. EDF and its allies will build on these actions to accelerate the nation’s shift toward 100% clean.

EDF has been a leading voice in support of bringing the benefits of the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative to Pennsylvania — a centerpiece of our climate leadership agenda.

Tom Wolf Governor of Pennsylvania

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