What’s New

  Last week, we re-launched the newsletter for the Model Climate Laws Initiative, formerly known as the Legal Pathways to Deep Decarbonization Project. This week, we are highlighting our priorities and ongoing work, new resources we’ve added to our database, and ways you can get involved in our efforts. Going forward, expect a regular monthly … Read More

Distributed on October 9, 2025 We know it’s been a little while since you have heard from us with a Legal Pathways for Deep Decarbonization (LPDD) newsletter. We’re still here, albeit under a new name – the Model Climate Laws Initiative. And we’ve been hard at work, as there has never been a more critical … Read More

We’re Hiring! The LPDD project is looking for a new Director! If you’d like to join our team delivering high-quality model laws and a library of best practices to policymakers and practitioners around the country, check out our posting here!   Environmental Law in Trump’s Second Term As our team continues to analyze the impacts of … Read More

After Election, LPDD’s Support for State and Local Climate Efforts More Important Than Ever While last week’s election was a sharp blow to federal action on climate change, our project remains undaunted. LPDD is committed to pursuing state- and local-level climate action in the weeks and months ahead. We know that, regardless of what happens … Read More

Michael Gerrard and John Dernbach Honored by ABA At the American Bar Association’s Section of Energy, Environment, and Resources’ forthcoming Fall Conference in Seattle, LPDD project co-founder Michael Gerrard will be honored in person with the ABA Lifetime Achievement Award in Environmental, Energy, or Resources Law and Policy. In addition, at a virtual December ceremony, LPDD project co-founder … Read More

New LPDD Model Laws This month, the LPDD team published a new model law on certifying new and substantially altered buildings to LEED Gold or Green Globe Level 3 certification level. This model ordinance would require that new non-residential and certain multifamily buildings with a gross floor area above 10,000 sf (or other size chosen by the … Read More

The LPDD team is excited to announce the publication of a new model law addressing certifying new and substantially altered buildings to LEED Gold or Green Globe Level 3 certification level. This model was drafted by Victor Baltera, a partner at Sullivan and Worcester, with assistance from attorney Ashley Tan, both of the firm’s Boston office.  … Read More

LPDD at State Legislator Conferences Last week, members of the LPDD team attended annual conferences for both the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators and the National Conference of State Legislators, which were held in Louisville, Kentucky. Our team had conversations with dozens of lawmakers from around the country to learn about what climate-related issues are vexing them, … Read More

The LPDD team is proud to announce the publication of a new model state law addressing green leases in the commercial building sector. This model was drafted by Jessica M. Simon, of Counsel at the Los Angeles office of Ballard Spahr LLP.  It was peer reviewed by Richard J. Sobelsohn, who is an LEED Accredited … Read More