skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Thursday, November 30, 2023

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

As climate change conference opens, one CA city takes action; Israel and Hamas extend Gaza truce by one day in a last-minute deal; WV could lose hundreds of millions in Medicaid funding.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

An expulsion vote looms for Rep. George Santos, the Ohio Supreme Court dismisses lawsuits against district maps and the Supreme Court hears a case which could cut the power of federal agencies.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Congress has iced the Farm Bill, but farmer advocates argue some portions are urgent, the Hoosier State is reaping big rewards from wind and solar, and opponents react to a road through Alaska's Brooks Range, long a dream destination for hunters and anglers.

NY Legislature Passes Tropical Deforestation Free Procurement Act

play audio
Play

Friday, June 30, 2023   

The New York state Legislature has passed the Tropical Deforestation-Free Procurement Act, which aims to hold companies contracting with the state accountable for deforestation their products might create. It could range from how it is cultivated to the company's supply chain.

An Accountability Framework Initiative/CDP report found more than 200 companies surveyed identified almost $80 billion of forest related risks.

Marcus Sibley, regional director of conservation partnerships for the National Wildlife Federation, said misinformation created a challenge to getting the bill passed.

"Originally, when the bill was first enacted, there was inclusion of boreal forests, and this legislative session we removed that language, and it's only been tropical forests," Sibley explained. "We communicated that, but that information didn't exactly get to everyone."

He added language has been clarified, so people now understand the bill better. The measure had opposition from organizations comfortable with the status quo, but its supporters are hopeful Gov. Kathy Hochul will sign it.

The legislature also considered other supply chain improvements. Though not passed, the New York State Transparency in Supply Chains Act would have required companies to disclose efforts being taken to eradicate human trafficking in their supply chains. Sibley argued more needs to be done to ensure New York remains a climate leader.

"There are various environmental implications tied to what we're trying to address in this current bill," pointed out. "There's the climate implications on a national as well as international basis. But, then there's also the impacts of the climate change."

A timeline for implementation of the bill is still being worked out, but those working with the state must prepare. A Cambridge University study found 94 companies have adopted zero-deforestation commitments, though most are not in practice.

Disclosure: The National Wildlife Federation contributes to our fund for reporting on Climate Change/Air Quality, Endangered Species and Wildlife, Energy Policy, and Water. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


get more stories like this via email
more stories
The Economic Policy Institute found the number of child labor law violations increased from 1,012 in 2015 to 3,876 in 2022. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

A bill in Congress with a Connecticut House sponsor aims to reduce child labor in the United States. Called the "Children Harmed in Life-Threatening …


Social Issues

play sound

As the opioid crisis continues, more New Hampshire grandparents are seeking financial help to raise their grandchildren. Already struggling with the …

Social Issues

play sound

As of Jan. 1, insulin will become a lot more affordable for many Nebraskans, and those who have come to rely on telehealth visits are more likely to …


Extremes of hot and cold weather have taken their toll on a concrete barrier along Binghamton's Riverwalk. Concrete crumbles between the stones of the wall in upstate New York. (Chet Wiker/Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

Some state and local lawmakers are on a long list calling on New York Gov. Kathy Hochul to require big oil companies to help offset the costs of …

Environment

play sound

Utilities and government agencies in the U.S. are carrying out plans to transition to cleaner electricity sources. To avoid being left behind…

More than 45,000 Washingtonians are diagnosed with diabetes each year, according to estimates. (Chinnapong/Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

November has been Diabetes Awareness Month - but heading into the holidays, people who are diabetic know they can't lose their focus on keeping it in …

Environment

play sound

Conservation groups are celebrating a long-fought battle to protect the dwindling population of wolverine in the Northwest and northern Rockies…

Environment

play sound

As world leaders gather in Dubai for the international conference on climate change, the City of Long Beach is acting on multiple fronts to help the …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021