Urges lending institutions in State to stop financing projects that contribute to climate change.
Impact
One of the notable points in the resolution is the acknowledgment that, despite the commitments made under the Paris Agreement, significant funding continues to flow into fossil fuel projects. From 2016 to 2020, the major lending institutions collectively contributed approximately $3.8 trillion to the oil, gas, and coal sectors. The document further mentions specific cases, such as the adverse effects of fracking on the indigenous Mapuche people in Argentina, illustrating how the current practices of financing fossil fuel projects harm local communities and ecosystems.
Summary
Senate Resolution No. 81 urges lending institutions within New Jersey to cease financing projects that contribute to climate change. The resolution highlights the detrimental impacts of fossil fuels, which are responsible for the release of greenhouse gases that lead to increases in global temperatures. This accelerated climate change has resulted in catastrophic environmental consequences, including extreme weather events, severe storms, and extensive flooding. The resolution emphasizes the urgent need for lending entities to recognize their role in combating climate change by altering their financing practices.
Contention
The resolution does not impose legal constraints on lending institutions but serves as an urgent call to action for these organizations to reconsider their investment strategies in light of their environmental impact. The intention is to encourage banks and financial entities to allocate funding towards sustainable energy projects instead. There may be contention from stakeholders in the fossil fuel industry who argue that such a shift could negatively influence the economy and energy sector. Nonetheless, the resolution positions this change as imperative for environmental health and sustainability.
Establishes Climate Change Mitigation and Resilience Financing Program in NJ Infrastructure Bank; imposes per-kilowatt hour charge on electric energy consumption to finance climate change mitigation and resilience projects.
"Climate Superfund Act"; imposes liability on certain fossil fuel companies for certain damages caused by climate change and establishes program in DEP to collect and distribute compensatory payments.
Requires undergraduate students to file degree plan and requires institutions of higher education and certain propriety institutions to develop pathway systems to graduation.
Requires undergraduate students to file degree plan and requires institutions of higher education and certain proprietary institutions to develop pathway systems to graduation.
Establishes process for merger or consolidation of public institution of higher education with other institutions of higher education or certain proprietary institutions; requires executive and legislative approval of merger or consolidation.
Establishes process for merger or consolidation of public institution of higher education with other institutions of higher education or certain proprietary institutions; requires executive and legislative approval of merger or consolidation.
Relating to the issuance of a diploma to a student graduating from a public institution of higher education that has undergone a merger, acquisition, or name change.