Illinois Passes Comprehensive Clean Energy Bill

On September 15, 2021, Gov. J.B. Pritzker of Illinois signed a comprehensive clean energy bill into law, making Illinois the first state in the Midwest to set climate goals for phasing out coal and natural gas. The omnibus bill received support from both environmental groups, who endorse the law’s emphasis on decarbonization, and union groups, who support the law’s protections of unionized labor.

While not explicitly mentioned in discussions surrounding the law, the law will work to further three of the sustainable development goals: Ensuring access to affordable and sustainable energy (Goal 7), reducing inequality (Goal 10), and taking urgent action to combat climate change (Goal 13).

To ensure access to affordable and sustainable energy, the law requires that 40 percent of the state’s energy be carbon free by 2030, 50 percent be carbon free by 2040, and 100 percent be carbon free by 2050. While residential electric bills are expected to increase by about three to four percent in the short-term, the government is subsidizing three nuclear power plants over the next five years and increasing annual nuclear energy subsidies by more than $350 million. In an effort to increase the number of electric vehicles in the state, the state government will also be providing a $4,000 rebate to all Illinoisans purchasing an electric vehicle starting next July.

In an effort to reduce inequality, the law establishes a Clean Jobs Workforce Network program under the supervision of the Department of Commerce and Economic opportunity. This program will provide job training, focusing on Black and Latinx populations in Illinois. Training will extend to the formerly incarcerated who are interested in pursuing a career in the renewable energy field. The law also creates a Jobs and Justice Fund to ensure the equitable distribution of any economic benefits that result from this transition to cleaner energy.

Upon signing the bill, Gov. Pritzker announced, “We can’t outrun or hide from climate change… There is no time to lost but what we can do, what we must do – and thanks to the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act – Illinois is doing, is to fight, to stop, and even reverse the damage that’s been done to our climate.” While Illinois is the first in the Midwest, and among the first in the United States generally, to pass such a sweeping climate and labor bill, it is likely far from being the last.

To learn more about the climate crisis in the U.S., click here.

To see the full text of the Climate and Equitable Jobs Act, click here.

Chevron’s Partnership with Kazakhstan Fuels Economic Growth and Community Development

Chevron is proud of its partnership with the U.S. Global Leadership Coalition (USGLC) to advance American leadership in international affairs, and through the Global Impact Project, share the story of how businesses, NGOs, foundations, and universities are partnering with the U.S. government to address global challenges – creating lasting impact abroad and in the United States.

Chevron is particularly honored to have its long-standing partnership with Kazakhstan featured in this year’s report, highlighting the company’s contributions to global development by fueling economic growth and supporting local communities through investments in education, social, and health infrastructure for lasting social impact. Learn more here and by reading the below:

Tapping the Potential

Kazakhstan is home to an abundance of oil and gas reserves— the 2nd largest in Central Asia and the 11th largest in the world.

But after gaining independence in 1991, Kazakhstan faced challenges in developing, producing, and exporting these natural resources. At the same time, the country was in the process of building up its economy after the breakup of the Soviet Union.

Powerful Partnerships

In 1993, Chevron became the first international oil company to enter Kazakhstan through its 50 percent interest in Tengizchevroil (TCO).

In this 40-year joint venture agreement, Chevron is partnering with the Republic of Kazakhstan and other oil companies to develop key resources, including the Tengiz oil field— one of the world’s deepest supergiant oil fields— to provide stable, reliable crude oil production. Through TCO, Chevron is also adding to Kazakhstan’s economy by supporting thousands of local jobs, using local goods and services, and investing in the national workforce.

Since inception, $2 billion has been invested into social infrastructure and numerous health, education, and sustainability initiatives for local communities in nearby Atyrau, including STEM education, teacher training, environmental conservation, and entrepreneurship programs. Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, Chevron and TCO’s contributions have expanded to include crisis response and significant relief efforts across Kazakhstan.

Impact

For almost 30 years, Chevron has helped to drive economic growth in Kazakhstan through the TCO partnership.

Over this period, as the country’s largest foreign investor, Chevron has contributed over $148 billion to the country’s economy, including $34 billion invested in Kazakhstani goods and services, and created thousands of jobs in the country— 80 percent of which are filled by local employees. Professional training programs continue to develop the skills and knowledge of TCO’s employees, as well as Kazakhstani companies who partner on TCO projects, helping to build Kazakhstan’s capacity and capability.

Through TCO and powerful partnerships, Chevron is not only helping Kazakhstan as a global energy leader, they are changing lives and unlocking the potential of people across the country.

Read the full story here.

USCIB Interviews John Frank on Microsoft’s New UN Affairs Office in NY

USCIB member since 1996, Microsoft has recently established a New York office to liaise with the United Nations. Norine Kennedy, who leads USCIB work on strategic international engagement, energy and environment, conducted a (virtual) interview with the head of this new office— John Frank, Vice President for UN Affairs.  Kennedy welcomed Frank to NY and they discussed Microsoft’s strategic vision for an enhanced presence at the UN, and invited his perspective on what American innovation, engagement and sustainability leadership can bring to the international community.

Microsoft’s establishment of a UN Affairs Office to liaise directly with the UN is a unique endeavor.  When discussing the thought process behind this initiative, Frank explained, “Many of the big challenges facing society can only be addressed effectively through multi-stakeholder action,” and highlighted the essential role that multilateral cooperation can have in addressing public health, environmental sustainability, cybersecurity, terrorist content online and  the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.  He noted that the UN General Assembly High Level week brings many stakeholders, including business, to New York but that the work continues after High Level Week.  For this reason, Microsoft decided it was paramount to be in New York year-round.

“Establishing our representation office with people based in New York and Geneva is the next natural step for a company that values multilateralism and multi-stakeholder solutions to global challenges,” Frank continued.

Additionally, Frank and Kennedy discussed the far-reaching impact CVOID-19 has had and Microsoft’s plans to engage the UN in a resilient and sustainable recovery.  Microsoft’s UN Affairs team is focused on supporting and promoting cooperation with the UN to advance progress in six key areas: climate action; human rights; strong institutions; decent work and economic growth; quality education; and broadband availability and accessibility.  Furthermore, Microsoft’s partnerships support the Secretary-General’s plan for a comprehensive UN response to COVID-19 to save lives, protect societies, and recover better.  Microsoft has partnered with the WHO to develop big data solutions that will greatly increase the scientific capacity of WHO to address COVID-19 and future health challenges; increased digital inclusivity by promoting innovative, lower-cost solutions to bring broadband access to rural Africa; partnered with UNICEF and the University of Cambridge in developing a Learning Passport to provide education for internally displaced and refugee children through a digital remote learning platform; and partnered with the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on Rights View, which helps the Office monitor human rights developments around the world.

When it comes to climate change, Microsoft has decided to go beyond reducing their carbon footprint by reversing their environmental impact, with a focus on carbon, water, biodiversity, and waste. Microsoft helped form the NetZero Coalition to share aspirations and operational experiences so that eventually, small, medium and large size organizations can learn how to implement programs that are economically sound, and ambitiously reduce carbon emissions.

“We seem to be at an inflection point where the weaknesses of our global governance systems have been highlighted, but the reforms have not been elaborated and agreed. The missions of many global institutions are important to the USCIB members, and it’s an opportune time to reimagine how global governance can become more inclusive and effective.”

Frank and Kennedy covered a range of other topics, including the digital economy and cybersecurity.  To read the interview in its entirety, click here.

To visit Microsoft’s UN Affairs microsite, click here.