Six of the largest banks in the United States have bowed out of the global Net Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA), with the inauguration of Donald Trump predicted to bring political backlash concerning climate action, reported The Guardian.

The latest to withdraw is JP Morgan, which followed Citigroup and Bank of America. Morgan Stanley, Goldman Sachs and Wells Fargo have also left the United Nations-sponsored NZBA since the beginning of December.

“JPMC is ending our membership in the Net Zero Banking Alliance (NZBA). We will continue to work independently to advance the interests of our Firm, our shareholders and our clients and remain focused on pragmatic solutions to help further low-carbon technologies while advancing energy security. We will also continue to support the banking and investment needs of our clients who are engaged in energy transition and in decarbonizing different sectors of the economy,” a spokesperson for JPMorganChase said in a statement provided to ESG Today.

The defections from NZBA come on the heels of exits from similar groups in the finance industry. In 2023, GOP litigation threats led to a mass exodus from an insurers’ net zero alliance, Bloomberg reported. And an asset managers climate organization disbanded from Vanguard Group — the second-largest money manager in the world — in 2022.

The breakup of worldwide climate associations has forced the regrouping of those in charge. The Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ) serves as a finance industry net zero umbrella organization, and it ended last year with a message that it was going to distance itself from the other alliances. According to the latest update from GFANZ, it plans to make its advice available to financial firms that have made no commitment to a net zero pact, as well as those that have.

JPMorgan said on Tuesday that it plans to “continue engaging with GFANZ, among others, to advance pragmatic solutions and market conditions that can help further a low-carbon and energy-secure future,” as reported by Bloomberg.

According to analysts, the banking institutions’ withdrawals are a response to “anti-woke” sentiment from U.S. rightwing politicians, which are predicted to increase when Trump becomes president, The Guardian reported.

Trump’s campaign promises to deregulate energy, dismantle environmental rules and “drill, baby, drill” are predicted to become a governing reality in his role as commander-in-chief of the world’s biggest producer of oil and gas.

“The sudden exodus of these big U.S. banks out of the NZBA is a lily-livered effort to avoid criticism from Trump and his climate denialist cronies,” said Paddy McCully, a senior analyst at campaign group Reclaim Finance, as reported by The Guardian. “A few years ago, when climate change was at the front of the political agenda, the banks were keen to boast of their commitments to act on climate. Now that the political pendulum has swung in the other direction, suddenly acting on climate does not seem so important for the Wall Street lenders.”

NZBA — led by banks, but convened by the UN Environment Programme’s finance initiative — commits its members to aligning their investment, lending and capital market activities with the goal of net zero emissions by mid-century or earlier.

A spokesperson for Citigroup — a founding member of NZBA — said the financial institution’s decision to leave would allow it to “focus on addressing barriers to mobilising capital to emerging markets in support of the low-carbon transition. We remain committed to reaching net zero and continue to be transparent about our progress.”

Carbon Trust senior manager Toby Kwan said the NZBA departures could give banks more flexibility concerning which pathway they choose to align with and which sectors they include in their targets, as well as less strict timeframes.

A Republican-led House of Representatives judiciary committee in December accused “a cartel” of financial institutions and climate activists of conspiring to “impose radical ESG-goals” on companies in the U.S.

After the most recent withdrawals, 141 banks remain members of NZBA, including all of the largest banks in Europe.

“By strengthening their commitments, NZBA banks can demonstrate that they have not simply used U.S. obstructionism as an excuse to maintain the NZBA’s weak position,” McCully pointed out, saying those remaining would now have a chance to advance further.

Kwan added that NZBA’s loss of U.S. banks was not a death knell for the organization.

 “While these major financial institutions leaving the alliance raises a question mark on the future of climate action in the financial sector, the remaining NZBA members represent a significant portion of the global banking sector, controlling approximately 40% of global banking assets, or $64tn [£51tn],” Kwan said, as The Guardian reported. “This substantial influence cannot be understated, and NZBA members can drive the transition to a net zero economy.”

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It’s no secret that per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS), also known as forever chemicals, are now well-established in the human body, with their presence detected in blood, umbilical cords and human milk. And while experts have linked PFAS exposure to health concerns like elevated cancer risks, endocrine disruption, developmental disruption and reduced immune system response, their impacts on the human brain remain relatively unknown.

However, a team led by researchers from the University at Buffalo has now identified 11 genes that could clear the way to better understanding how these chemicals affect brain tissue, and their level of neurotoxicity.

“Our findings indicate these genes may be markers to detect and monitor PFAS-induced neurotoxicity in the future,” G. Ekin Atilla-Gokcumen, lead co-corresponding author of the study and a chemistry professor at University at Buffalo, said in a statement.

The team exposed six types of PFAS to neuronal-like cells and lipids for a 24-hour period and found that these chemicals caused different expressions in 721 genes. These changes affected oxidative stress, protein synthesis, hypoxia signaling and amino acid metabolism, according to the study. They published their findings in the journal ACS Chemical Neuroscience.

Out of all the PFAS tested, perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) led to the widest spread changes in gene expression, affecting nearly 600 genes. By comparison, no other compound in the test affected expression of more than 147 genes. In July 2024, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) designated PFOA as a hazardous substance under the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA).

In total, 11 genes were impacted to express in the same way after exposure to all six compounds. Some of these differently expressed genes were important for neuronal cell survival, the study found.

“Each of these 11 genes exhibited consistent regulation across all PFAS that we tested. This uniform response suggests that they may serve as promising markers for assessing PFAS exposure, but further research is needed to know how these genes respond to other types of PFAS,” Atilla-Gokcumen explained.

The study results may help scientists further determine how these accumulative chemicals impact human brains, but as of right now, there are no known, safe and effective methods for removing PFAS from the human body. Even determining the level of exposure to PFAS is complicated, with testing costing up to $500, Verywell Health reported. While PFAS blood testing costs are required to be covered by insurance in New Hampshire, coverage varies or may be unavailable in other states.

G. Ekin Atilla-Gokcumen’s lab found 11 genes that are consistently affected by PFAS exposure, either expressing more or less, regardless of the type of PFAS. Meredith Forrest Kulwicki / University at Buffalo

In February 2024, a separate study found that the cholesterol medication cholestyramine was effective at reducing PFAS levels in plasma. However, the study included a small sample of subjects, and the researchers determined that the medication was not suitable for widespread, long-term use for the purpose of lowering PFAS levels because of the risk of side effects, Medical Xpress reported.

For now, medical experts will continue researching how PFAS affect human health alongside ways to reduce the accumulation of these compounds in our bodies, including through alternative materials that could provide the same benefits, such as water- and stain-resistance, with lower risks to human health.

“If we understand why some PFAS are more harmful than others, we can prioritize phasing out the worst offenders while seeking safer substitutes,” Atilla-Gokcumen explained. “For example, alternatives like short-chain PFAS are being explored, as they tend to persist less in the environment and accumulate less in biological systems. However, their reduced persistence may come at the cost of effectiveness in certain applications, and there are concerns about potential unknown health effects that require further investigation. Further research is needed to ensure these substitutes are genuinely safer and effective for specific applications. This research is a major step towards achieving this goal.”

In the meantime, the EPA has recommended reducing exposure by checking PFAS levels in your public water supply or private well, installing filters that reduce PFAS in water and avoiding consumption of fish from PFAS-contaminated waterways.

Further, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) recommended reducing exposure to forever chemicals by limiting consumption of food in takeout packaging or paper board packaging, skipping non-stick cookware in favor of materials like stainless steel and cast iron, and avoiding clothing with aftermarket waterproofing or stain-resistant treatments.

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Following years of campaigning by environmental activists, Thailand has banned foreign imports of plastic waste due to concerns about toxic pollution.

Experts warn that the failure to reach an agreement on a global treaty to eliminate plastic waste will have adverse impacts on human health, reported The Guardian.

“The ban on imports will help stimulate plastic recycling in Thailand, ensuring more efficient resource usage and reducing the amount of unused plastic waste,” said Arada Fuangthong, director-general of Thailand’s Department of Foreign Trade, as Sustainable Plastics reported. “This will also help reduce pollution that could impact the environment and public health.”

Fuangthong added that Thailand’s plastic waste problem has increased “significantly,” and that the country has struggled with electronic waste being smuggled in mixed with plastic waste.

Issued by the Thai Department of Foreign Trade on January 1, the new regulation provided a grace period from December 17 to 31 to allow for the completion of pending imports.

The guidelines require the promotion of domestic plastic waste recycling by responsible agencies under the Bio, Circular, Green (BCG) economy model framework.

Thailand became a main destination for plastic waste exports from the United States, Japan, Europe and the United Kingdom after a ban was imposed by China — the largest household waste market in the world — in 2018, reported The Guardian.

Japan is among the biggest waste plastic exporters to Thailand, sending roughly 50 million kilograms of discarded plastics in 2023.

According to Thai customs officials, over 1.21 million tons of plastic scraps were received by the country from 2018 to 2021.

“The ban on all plastic scrap imports should be seen as a triumph for civil society in preventing hazardous waste from entering Thailand,” said Penchom Sae-Tang, director of NGO Ecological Alert and Recovery, as the Bangkok Post reported. “However, our work is far from over. Vigilant monitoring and robust cooperation with authorities will be critical to ensuring the law is enforced for the benefit of all.”

Plastic waste imports have been frequently burned by factories rather than being recycled, leading to negative impacts for the environment and human health, reported The Guardian.

“While this is a great step forward for Thailand, there is more work to be done. After the law comes into effect, the Thai government must work to ensure its enforcement and implementation. This means industrial, environmental and customs agencies must cooperate to prevent any illicit imports of plastic waste… the current law does not address the transit of plastic waste, meaning Thailand could be used as a transit state to send waste to our… neighbours. The Thai government must guard against this,” said Punyathorn Jeungsmarn, a plastics campaign researcher with the Environmental Justice Foundation, as The Guardian reported.

European exports of plastic waste to non-OECD nations have increased over the past several years, reported Sustainable Plastics.

Rules regulating the global export of plastic scrap exist, but compliance is hard to assess.

Thailand’s new ban comes as attempts to rescue the global plastics treaty continue. Countries failed last year to agree on a final draft following talks in Busan, South Korea.

A draft text was supported by more than 100 countries, but oil-producing nations like Saudi Arabia, Russia and Iran resisted cuts to plastics production.

A date has not yet been set for further discussions on a global treaty to eliminate plastic waste.

“Plastic pollution is now recognised as not only an environmental crisis but also a critical human health crisis. The need for decisive international action to tackle plastic pollution has never been more urgent,” said professor Steve Fletcher, director of University of Portsmouth’s Revolution Plastics Institute, as The Guardian reported.

Fletcher pointed out that burning plastic as a waste management method posed severe health risks that were compounded by the plastic waste trade.

“With 16% of global municipal waste burned openly, rising to 40-65% in low-and middle-income countries, vulnerable populations bear the brunt of this crisis. The toxic fumes from burning plastic are a silent but deadly contributor to global health burdens. Urgent action is needed,” said Dr. Cressida Bowyer, deputy director of Revolution Plastics Institute, as reported by The Guardian.

The post Thailand Bans Plastic Waste Imports in Effort to Curb Toxic Pollution appeared first on EcoWatch.

Following years of campaigning by environmental activists, Thailand has banned foreign imports of plastic waste due to concerns about toxic pollution.

Experts warn that the failure to reach an agreement on a global treaty to eliminate plastic waste will have adverse impacts on human health, reported The Guardian.

“The ban on imports will help stimulate plastic recycling in Thailand, ensuring more efficient resource usage and reducing the amount of unused plastic waste,” said Arada Fuangthong, director-general of Thailand’s Department of Foreign Trade, as Sustainable Plastics reported. “This will also help reduce pollution that could impact the environment and public health.”

Fuangthong added that Thailand’s plastic waste problem has increased “significantly,” and that the country has struggled with electronic waste being smuggled in mixed with plastic waste.

Issued by the Thai Department of Foreign Trade on January 1, the new regulation provided a grace period from December 17 to 31 to allow for the completion of pending imports.

The guidelines require the promotion of domestic plastic waste recycling by responsible agencies under the Bio, Circular, Green (BCG) economy model framework.

Thailand became a main destination for plastic waste exports from the United States, Japan, Europe and the United Kingdom after a ban was imposed by China — the largest household waste market in the world — in 2018, reported The Guardian.

Japan is among the biggest waste plastic exporters to Thailand, sending roughly 50 million kilograms of discarded plastics in 2023.

According to Thai customs officials, over 1.21 million tons of plastic scraps were received by the country from 2018 to 2021.

“The ban on all plastic scrap imports should be seen as a triumph for civil society in preventing hazardous waste from entering Thailand,” said Penchom Sae-Tang, director of NGO Ecological Alert and Recovery, as the Bangkok Post reported. “However, our work is far from over. Vigilant monitoring and robust cooperation with authorities will be critical to ensuring the law is enforced for the benefit of all.”

Plastic waste imports have been frequently burned by factories rather than being recycled, leading to negative impacts for the environment and human health, reported The Guardian.

“While this is a great step forward for Thailand, there is more work to be done. After the law comes into effect, the Thai government must work to ensure its enforcement and implementation. This means industrial, environmental and customs agencies must cooperate to prevent any illicit imports of plastic waste… the current law does not address the transit of plastic waste, meaning Thailand could be used as a transit state to send waste to our… neighbours. The Thai government must guard against this,” said Punyathorn Jeungsmarn, a plastics campaign researcher with the Environmental Justice Foundation, as The Guardian reported.

European exports of plastic waste to non-OECD nations have increased over the past several years, reported Sustainable Plastics.

Rules regulating the global export of plastic scrap exist, but compliance is hard to assess.

Thailand’s new ban comes as attempts to rescue the global plastics treaty continue. Countries failed last year to agree on a final draft following talks in Busan, South Korea.

A draft text was supported by more than 100 countries, but oil-producing nations like Saudi Arabia, Russia and Iran resisted cuts to plastics production.

A date has not yet been set for further discussions on a global treaty to eliminate plastic waste.

“Plastic pollution is now recognised as not only an environmental crisis but also a critical human health crisis. The need for decisive international action to tackle plastic pollution has never been more urgent,” said professor Steve Fletcher, director of University of Portsmouth’s Revolution Plastics Institute, as The Guardian reported.

Fletcher pointed out that burning plastic as a waste management method posed severe health risks that were compounded by the plastic waste trade.

“With 16% of global municipal waste burned openly, rising to 40-65% in low-and middle-income countries, vulnerable populations bear the brunt of this crisis. The toxic fumes from burning plastic are a silent but deadly contributor to global health burdens. Urgent action is needed,” said Dr. Cressida Bowyer, deputy director of Revolution Plastics Institute, as reported by The Guardian.

The post Thailand Bans Plastic Waste Imports in Effort to Curb Toxic Pollution appeared first on EcoWatch.

In a recent lawsuit, Murray County, Georgia, alleged that corporations 3M, Daikin and DuPont have used toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) “forever chemicals” to produce products in Northwest Georgia while hiding associated dangers since the 1960s, causing a public health crisis.

The county is also suing carpet manufacturers, including Shaw and Mohawk Industries, reported The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

The lawsuit claims the companies have been aware for decades that the PFAS they produce and use are toxic, but have been concealing that knowledge and dumping contaminated waste in the county’s landfill.

“Thanks to these and other failures by the chemical makers and users, all or substantially all the residents of Northwest Georgia effectively have Scotchgard, Stainmaster, and Teflon coursing through their veins, suppressing their immune systems and triggering debilitating and fatal illnesses,” the county said in its lawsuit.

In its complaint, the Georgia county said defendants made billions from products contaminated with PFAS and should pay for necessary cleanup.

The complaint by Murray County follows another lawsuit filed by Mohawk Industries in Whitfield County against 3M, DuPont, Chemours and Daikin, alleging the chemical companies hid PFAS dangers from users.

One of the biggest carpet manufacturers in the world, Mohawk claims it was duped into using the chemicals without being aware that they could cause harm to humans and the environment, Atlanta News First reported.

Mohawk’s lawsuit claims the corporations “concealed and misrepresented material information regarding the environmental and health risks of PFAS chemicals” when it sold carpet “treatment products” to Mohawk over the course of decades.

The City of Dalton — known as “the carpet and flooring capital of the world” — has filed another lawsuit against Shaw Industries, 3M, Daikin, Chemours and others, alleging that the city’s sewage system was contaminated with PFAS by one of its largest employers. That complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court Northern District of Georgia, located in Rome.

PFAS are a group of thousands of chemicals used to make products like carpet stain- and water-resistant.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency has said PFAS have been linked to a heightened risk of decreased fertility, low birth weight and multiple forms of cancer.

Mohawk admitted that its industrial wastewater, which was contaminated with PFAS, made its way into rivers that provide local residents with drinking water.

“Mohawk has already paid over $100 million to settle certain water lawsuits in order to fund the construction of water treatment facilities to remove Defendants’ PFAS from the drinking water of the affected communities,” the lawsuit said, as reported by Atlanta News First.

The case brought by Murray County, which includes claims against Chemours, is the most recent in an increasing legal fight stemming from PFAS use in the state’s carpet manufacturing industry, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported.

PFAS are referred to as “forever chemicals” because they do not break down easily in the natural environment.

Murray County’s legal team is made up of attorneys, water experts and consumer advocates that include Erin Brockovich — famous for the fight against Pacific Gas & Electric that inspired an Oscar-winning film bearing the environmental advocate’s name.

3M has said it will stop making PFAS by year’s end, and has agreed to pay as much as $12.5 billion to public water providers.

“The PFAS in and around the county’s landfill, which are migrating into the waters of the state of Georgia, must be contained, captured and destroyed,” the county stated in its lawsuit.

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