In this newsletter, we have invited our longtime partners at ClimateVoice to share a critical policy update. They recently published a thorough summary of the House Ways and Means Committee's proposed tax reform package and its impact on clean energy initiatives, along with the Energy and Commerce Committee’s proposed rules—both of which have passed the House (as part of what is being called the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’) and are now up for review in the Senate.

Before we hand it over to Deborah McNamara, Executive Director of ClimateVoice, I want to share a bit about the work of ClimateVoice. ClimateVoice was founded by Bill Weihl in 2020 to focus on directing the massive influence of companies to help address the climate crisis. While leading sustainability efforts at both Google and Facebook, Bill saw firsthand the incredible role employees can play in helping to inform and drive the climate action of their employers. In the words of ClimateVoice, “We activate employees, engage executives, and shine the media spotlight to galvanize climate policy action. When employees speak, companies act.”

With that, over to Deb!

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Hello Climate Collaborative Community,

We wanted to share with you an update on the House Ways and Means Committee's proposed tax reform package and its impact on clean energy initiatives, along with the Energy and Commerce Committee’s proposed rules. The proposals from these two groups play a critical role in determining the outcomes of the U.S.’ climate policies. The  House Budget Bill (also referred to by some as ‘The One, Big, Beautiful Bill’ ) incorporated these proposals, and the package passed through the House and is now being considered in the Senate.

We will break down why the clean energy tax credits on the chopping block are important and how the proposed changes will impact jobs, energy costs, the environment, public health, and the economy. Last, but not least, we’ll underscore how important it is for companies and employees to be speaking up in support of climate and clean energy rules, especially right now in the face of proposed cuts and rollbacks.

THE BIG PICTURE

Current Proposals Threaten Climate Policy Progress to Date

In 2022, Congress passed historic climate legislation called the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). At that time ClimateVoice, the Climate Collaborative, and many other partner organizations, urged companies to go all in with their support of the original bill (the Build Back Better Act), which evolved into the Inflation Reduction Act. ClimateVoice tracked how 21 companies were obstructing, cautious, or leading in their policy advocacy for BBB and then the IRA. We praised those companies who spoke up to endorse this historic legislation and held those that didn’t back this policy accountable for their inaction. Constellation, Microsoft, Salesforce, and Walmart were among the companies that led in their support for the IRA’s $369 billion dollar climate and energy investment to power the clean energy transition.

The IRA (PDF) is not only a historic investment in clean energy, it also presents a critical step in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The benefits of this bill include lowering energy costs, providing tax credits for clean energy investments, and enhancing grid resilience, while also creating jobs.

The House Budget Bill which passed on May 22nd integrated proposals from the Ways and Means Committee including a tax reform package that threatens clean energy tax credits, clean vehicle standards, home energy efficiency, and the potential for clean manufacturing. Furthermore, the Energy and Commerce Committee proposal reflected billions of dollars in cuts that will negatively impact climate and clean energy programs including repeals of sections of the Clean Air Act, and threats to critical programs such as the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, vehicle efficiency and emissions standards, and climate pollution reduction grants. You can read about the impacts of the bill on clean energy here.      

The slew of proposed changes to the clean energy tax credits are incredibly restrictive to clean energy production, investment and manufacturing – serving as an effective repeal. These proposals are currently moving forward in the Senate amidst negotiations, and have the potential to reverse the progress made by the IRA. Companies and employees should be speaking up in this moment to defend clean energy and the progress to date.

What’s at Risk?

With the Ways and Means Committee proposal, many of the proposed cuts to tax credits are planned for the end of this year, with others phased out over time. Tax credits that would be affected include the Clean Energy Tax Credits (45Y and 48E), Electric Vehicle Credits (45W, 30D, 30C, 25E), Advanced Manufacturing Credits (45X), Home Energy Efficiency and Electrification Credits (25C), New Energy Efficient Home Credits (45L), and Residential Solar and other home energy systems credits (25D).

Concerns with these proposed cuts include the potential hampering of the clean energy market, general threats to the clean energy sector, and negative impacts to job creation, investments and the clean energy transition. Of note: these cuts risk axing many new projects and threaten the funding of projects that are already underway. Consumers would no longer be able to receive a tax credit for new qualifying electric vehicles or for purchasing a used electric vehicle, for example – and critics worry that proposed ‘Foreign Entity of Concern’ requirements will stifle eligibility for tax credits for those working with companies overseas, which could harm U.S. manufacturing reliant on international supply chains.

With the Energy and Commerce Committee proposal, a possible $6.5 billion in funding could be cut – severely impacting clean energy and climate programs, with certain provisions risking the repeal of sections of the Clean Air Act, for example. A number of programs are at risk, including, but not limited to the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, environmental justice block grants, vehicle efficiency and emissions standards, and climate pollution reduction grants. The bill would also allow natural gas pipeline projects to pay a fee (of $10 million) to bypass the normal permitting process. Furthermore, the bill proposes that the Department of Energy could allow proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) export facilities as being “in the public interest” if the applicant pays $1 million dollars.

Other IRA programs that are affected by the Energy and Commerce proposal include air pollution monitoring programs for schools, the fenceline pollution monitoring program at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the American Innovation Manufacturing Act (aims to phase down hydrofluorocarbons), and Greenhouse Gas Corporate Reporting at the EPA (supports transparency and standardization of corporate climate action commitments and greenhouse gas emissions reduction planning).

The potential negative impacts of these policy moves are vast, including increased pollution and associated health risks, increased costs, reduced efficiency, fewer resources available to support local climate mitigation projects, and a proliferation of gas pipelines, to name a few.

ACTION ITEMS

• Get up to speed on the U.S. budget reconciliation process and how it will impact climate policy, and start pressing your company leaders to weigh in. Reading and sharing this newsletter is a great place to start!
• Urge your company to use their voice to protect clean energy tax credits and defend the clean energy investments included in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).
• Check to see how much money your district has received from the IRA.

THE NITTY GRITTY

Why Employees and Companies Need to Weigh In – Now

The good news: It's not too late to save clean energy. That’s where you – and all of us working to advocate for climate policy come in. Your voice is needed to speak up for clean energy, affordability, and climate action, especially now and during the ongoing decision making process in the days and weeks ahead with further negotiations forthcoming. While these proposals point to a potential repeal of many aspects of the IRA, a lot can and hopefully will change between now and when a final budget is presented.

Right now is the time to get up to speed, share information on these critical decision-making moments, and raise with company leadership, peers, and your Green Team or Sustainability focused Employee Resource Groups.

Remember: Nearly 70% of the world’s 500 largest companies have a public climate commitment, more than ever before. While many U.S. companies are being less vocal when it comes to climate commitments thus far in 2025, 84% of companies are keeping or accelerating their climate targets. It is essential to hold the line on climate action and clean energy deployment. Companies should continue to hold fast and firm to their commitments and employees should urge company leaders to support policies such as those discussed here that align with current commitments.

The business voice matters in these current policy fights – and aggregating business influence to lobby for policies that protect business, communities, jobs, affordability, and the environment is key. We need leaders and employees to leverage their influence now – using all means possible. Whether through public statements, private meetings with legislators and decision-makers, or joining other companies or industry groups to call for protection of climate-related policies, find ways to use your influence in this important moment.

As we have said before: There has never been a more important time to speak up. The decisions made today will have a profound and lasting impact on our environment, our society, and our future. Let’s get to work advocating for the protection of the progress made to date.

Please don’t hesitate to utilize the team at ClimateVoice as a resource in your advocacy work.

Many thanks!

Deb McNamara
ClimateVoice Executive Director
[email protected]

Workshop Recording: Future-Proofing with Climate-Resilient Crops - Key Considerations for Onshoring, Innovation, Resilience, and Nutrient Density

In this 90-minute, action-oriented session, expert and facilitator Alisa Knapp from Grows Together shares a clear, practical framework for evaluating and implementing climate-resilient crops. You’ll walk away with insights, tools, and next steps to help your team make informed decisions that support both business resilience and climate goals.

• This workshop is available for purchase. Purchase includes workshop recording, slides, and climate resilient crop matrix

Aligned Sustainability Reporting Initiative – Phase 2 Coming Soon

In June we’ll be launching Phase 2 of the Aligned Sustainability Reporting Initiative (ASRI). With 20 companies engaged in phase 1, we are excited to welcome new companies as we shift from scoping the challenge to prototyping shared solutions for sustainability reporting.

• Access the Phase 2 Context Slide Deck
• Complete the program interest form

Coming Soon! Regenerative Transition Community of Practice - Cohort 3

In early summer, we'll be launching the third cohort of our Community of Practice. This program has currently served more than 25 companies in activating their regenerative transition. The Community of Practice is for companies of all sizes and types. The community has included retailers, distribution, CPG, suppliers, food service, and service providers.

• If you're interested in joining, please fill out this interest form
• Download our brochure to learn more!

Climate Leaders Circle

The Climate Leaders Circle is a space for leaders—at all levels within organizations—who are looking for insights and community to help them navigate the complexity of climate action in today’s world. This community is designed to cultivate the social soil that connects, informs, and activates us in our climate work. 

• Download the slide deck to learn more
• Fill out an interest form
  
  

Nature's Path Gardens for Good Program

Applications are now open for our 15th annual grant program supporting organic community gardens! 

As a leader in the organic food industry, we recognize the lasting power of community gardens: alleviating food insecurity and accessibility, developing skills, fostering relationships, and overall generating positive social impact for the communities in which they are found. 

Involved in a non-profit, organically-managed community garden project? Apply for our 2025 Gardens for Good grant program today! We strongly encourage gardens serving underrepresented and underserved communities to apply. 

Applications are open until June 17th, midnight PST. 

• Learn more and apply now!

Menus of Change Leadership Summit

June 4 - 5; Hyde Park, NY

Join industry leaders, visionary chefs, and pioneering researchers at the CIA-Harvard's 13th Annual Menus of Change Leadership Summit. Gain actionable strategies for a healthier, sustainable, and delicious food future. Featuring Dani Nierenberg (FoodTank), Michiel Bakker (CIA), and presenters across sectors, this "must-attend" event offers cutting-edge insights, high-value networking, business case studies, and unmatched culinary excellence. View the full program here for inspiration to attend and recommit to your work. 

Exclusive offer for the Climate Collaborative: Receive 30% off registration with code MOC25CC

Groups of 5+ save an additional 10%

Partner Event: 2025 ReFED Food Waste Solutions Summit

June 23-25; Seattle, WA

Oatly Achieves Certification as a Climate Solutions Company

Oatly recently announced the release of their updated Sustainability Plan. With this plan they have become the first food and beverage company to become certified by the Exponential Roadmap Initiative as a Climate Solutions Company. In addition, they have announced an interlinked set of commitments around not just climate, but also nature, people, and nutrition. Learn more in this LinkedIn article written by Oatly CEO, Jean-Christophe Flatin.

Sustainability in the USA Report

In our decades of work on sustainability, we have rarely encountered such elevated uncertainty in the operating environment - a feeling echoed by many sustainability professionals today. In board rooms around the world, many are wondering what has changed, and what has not, on this agenda. 

• Read the report!

Sixteen Brands Including REI, Reformation, Blueland, and Vuori Among the First to Receive New Certification for Funding Climate Targets

Companies received The Climate Label certification, which holds businesses accountable for adopting an internal carbon fee to accelerate climate progress. 

• Read more about their efforts and see the full list!

Share Your Good News With Us!

In this new section of our newsletter, we want to share out climate-related progress, announcements, and good news from our community in action. Send us an email at [email protected] to contribute to next month's section.

If you haven't already made a commitment to Climate Action, please visit the Climate Collaborative website and check out the nine areas in which your company can make a commitment to bold climate action.