Latest news with #Neubauer
Euronews
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
Climate cases are increasingly reaching top courts, new analysis finds
People pursuing legal action over climate change are increasingly finding their cases reach the world's highest courts, the largest analysis to date finds. Between 2015 and 2024, 276 climate-related cases ended up in apex courts – such as supreme and constitutional courts – according to the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment, based at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). In a longer stretch from 1995 to the end of 2024, just over 360 cases went the distance. In total, the institute's databases date back to 1986, during which time around 3,000 climate lawsuits have been filed. This provides the analysts with a detailed history from which to track the evolution of climate litigation and its real-world impact. 'Governments and companies are increasingly having to consider the legal ramifications of pushing ahead with oil or gas projects, as they risk being dragged through the courts,' says Catherine Higham, senior policy fellow at the Grantham Research Institute on Climate Change and the Environment. 'The broader impacts of climate litigation are becoming increasingly visible and well-documented. It is no longer a niche concern; it is increasingly seen as a financial risk.' What are the key trends for climate litigation in Europe? 2024 saw new fossil fuel exploration in Europe come under increasing scrutiny by high courts, the report reveals. There were influential supreme court rulings in the UK and Norway - Europe's two largest oil and gas producers - with the latter suspending three North Sea oil field approvals. These cases were partly concerned with the question of whether downstream or 'Scope 3' emissions from fossil fuel projects should be considered by decision makers, an increasing focus worldwide. Of the 2,967 climate cases filed worldwide by the end of 2024, 133 have been filed in the UK - the third highest after the US (well ahead with 1,899) and Australia (164). Interestingly, the authors note, although Europe and North America are the regions with the most apex court cases, they also have comparatively lower success rates. Germany, in particular, has seen a substantial number of unsuccessful cases. These are mostly subnational framework cases filed with the Federal Constitutional Court following the successful decision in Neubauer, et al. v. Germany, in which young climate activists argued that Germany's greenhouse gas reduction goals violated their human rights. Subsequent complaints, brought by young climate activists against individual German states, were all dismissed in early 2022. The Court held that federal states are not independently responsible for ensuring compliance with national climate targets under the Federal Climate Change Act, and therefore, the claims did not meet the constitutional threshold for admissibility. What are the most successful approaches? Of the 276 climate cases reaching apex courts in the last nine years, more than 80 per cent of cases have challenged governments, reflecting a dominant trend of challenging shortcomings in national or subnational climate policies, regulatory failures or inaction. Challenges regarding the 'integration of climate considerations' like Scope 3 emissions into specific projects tend to fare better, with a 44 per cent success rate, than 'government framework' cases about constitutional responsibilities. Cases against corporate defendants appear to have a higher overall success rate. The authors also found that around 20 per cent of climate cases filed in 2024 targeted companies or their directors and officers. 'Climate washing cases have remained as one of the most widely used strategies in corporate litigation in 2024', they say, noting a growing number targeting the use of carbon credits to offset emissions. What important principles have climate cases established? Rights-based climate litigation has been on the rise since 2015, the report says, with a growing number of litigants invoking their fundamental rights to compel governments to act on climate change. The European Court of Human Rights' (ECtHR) landmark 2024 ruling in KlimaSeniorinnen v. Switzerland represents a 'milestone' in this respect. It affirmed state obligations under international human rights and climate law, connected distinct legal regimes, and confirmed that NGOs can have standing in climate litigation. One year on, national courts have begun to engage with the judgment, with mixed results. Some cases, although unsuccessful overall, have nonetheless established important principles that can be carried forward. The Higher Regional Court of Hamm in Germany dismissed a lawsuit brought by Peruvian farmer Saul Luciano Lliuya against energy giant RWE in May 2025. But its ruling confirmed a powerful legal principle: companies can be held legally liable for the harm caused by their contribution to climate change. Another potent ruling came from the International Tribunal on the Law of the Sea, which in May 2024 issued an advisory opinion that states have obligations to prevent, reduce and control greenhouse gas emissions from marine sources. 'A two-way street': Cases against climate action are also on the rise Though the number of cases continues to grow, the overall rate of growth in climate litigation slowed down during 2024. And while climate litigation is getting more sophisticated, the long arm of the law is being used against activists and progressive states, too, as 'political headwinds' exert their influence. 'We have seen over the past year not only a further maturing of climate-aligned strategic litigation to promote climate action but we have also recorded a rise in cases pushing back against climate action, which presents new challenges for politicians, businesses and climate activists,' says Joana Setzer, associate professorial research fellow at the LSE institute. 'The situation in the United States shows that litigation is a two-way street and can be used to help climate action and also to slow it down.' Since President Trump took office in the US in January 2025, a wave of litigation aimed at contesting executive actions to roll back climate policy has arisen. However, the researchers note, the federal government is also taking an increasingly aggressive stance against state-led climate action and has begun filing what could be termed 'anti-climate action' cases.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Doomed 'Titan' Sub Founder Could Have Been Charged If He'd Survived Final Dive, Investigator Says (Exclusive)
The implosion of the Titan submersible in June 2023, which killed five people, stands out to Coast Guard investigator Jason Neubauer as unique for several reasons After a lengthy probe, USCG officials are preparing a final report and Neubauer says OceanGate co-founder Stockton Rush would have been criminally responsible if he lived Authorities did not, however, speak with Rush's widow, Wendy, who has avoided public attentionJason Neubauer has been involved with hundreds of U.S. Coast Guard investigations involving marine accidents, tragedies and worse. Still, the implosion of the Titan submersible in June 2023, which killed five people, stands out to him as unique for several reasons. 'I've never seen one where the vessel was never registered,' Neubauer, who is leading the USCG probe of the Titan disaster, tells PEOPLE in this week's cover story. The lack of registration (or 'flagging') with a country was one of the indicators that the sub, created by the Washington-based exploration company OceanGate, was seeking to skirt regulatory scrutiny and safety laws. As Neubauer puts it, 'the reason you would do it is to stay off the radar with your intentions.' Similarly, OceanGate didn't have the Titan 'classed' — or certified by an outside body — and its paying passengers were listed as 'mission specialists' on dives, which Neubauer calls a 'mask' to get around the law. OceanGate co-founder Stockton Rush, 61, had long been open about his dreams of building a novel kind of submersible to allow more people to reach deepwater artifacts like the wreck of the Titanic. To that end, Titan's hull was made of carbon fiber rather than titanium or steel and it was designed in a cylindrical shape, not a sphere. Titan Both of those decisions went against the prevailing understanding of the best way for submersibles to withstand immense pressure while traversing the ocean. But for a time, Rush seemed to have been successful — even as internal warnings mounted that his sub would ultimately fail. Neubauer notes that the Titan's own monitoring system documented how the hull was making increasing amounts of noise, indicating the material was being damaged. The sub was also left out in the Canadian winter, in a parking lot, even covered with snow, during the off-season. Then while diving down to the Titanic two years ago, the Titan imploded while Rush was piloting. Four other people — Shahzada and Suleman Dawood, Hamish Harding and Paul-Henri Nargeolet — were killed as well. 'It was incredible that the Titan made it to Titanic … many times. It really was technologically impressive that it was able to do that,' Neubauer says. 'The problem is it just wasn't doing it safely.' The sub, says Neubauer, was 'waiting to be an accident.' Since the implosion, the Coast Guard has been conducting an extensive investigation — including a public hearing last year — and with what Neubauer calls 'the most data' he's ever seen collected for a probe like this. A final report is expected soon, as early as this month. One conclusion Neubauer feels comfortable making is that if Rush had survived, he could've faced charges for seaman's manslaughter. He says no one else at OceanGate was responsible, including Rush's widow, Wendy, who worked at the company at the time and was on board a support ship monitoring the final, doomed dive. She has avoided the spotlight since the tragedy and Neubauer says Coast Guard officials didn't interview her. 'We felt like we could get the information we needed from other witnesses. And I've been in contact with her through her attorney,' he says, 'but I haven't been tracking where she is.' (PEOPLE has been unable to reach her for comment.) Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 'I think we know the story,' Neubauer says. 'We know what happened. We have some ideas how to prevent it from occurring again.' In its own statement, OceanGate tells PEOPLE: 'We again offer our deepest condolences to the families of those who died on June 18, 2023, and to all those impacted by the tragedy.' 'After the tragedy occurred, OceanGate permanently wound down its operations,' the now-defunct company says, 'and focused its resources on fully cooperating with the investigations being.' Read the original article on People
Yahoo
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Assembly Minority Leader Greta Neubauer joins DLCC's board as Dems looks to win majorities in 2026
Assembly Minority Leader Greta Neubauer is joining the DLCC board. Neubauer takes questions from reporters alongside Senate Minority Leader Dianne Hesselbein in Jan. 2025. (Photo by Baylor Spears/Wisconsin Examiner) Wisconsin Assembly Minority Leader Greta Neubauer is joining the Board of Directors for the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC) — the national organization dedicated to electing Democrats to state legislatures. The Racine Democrat, who has been in the Legislature since 2018 and has led Assembly Democrats since 2021, joins the board as Wisconsin Democrats seek majorities in both chambers for the first time in many years in 2026. Neubauer said DLCC President Heather Williams asked her to join the board and it's a sign of the organization's 'deep commitment' to Wisconsin and understanding that a trifecta could be possible in 2026. 'They want to be a part of helping us flip this state blue,' Neubauer said. 'DLCC of course is focused on the national strategy of supporting democratic legislatures to win majorities in legislative chambers. They have had great success in the last few years… so I'm excited to be part of that national strategy work.' Williams said in a statement that 'all eyes should be on the states in 2025' and Neubauer is a leader to watch. 'As state Democrats continue to overperform in special elections and counter the chaos in Washington, we are laying the foundation for Democratic success up and down the ticket,' Williams said. 'Our board members represent some of the sharpest minds in politics, and I'm excited to partner with them to build our plan for victory for cycles to come.' In the past, the DLCC has invested in helping Wisconsin Democrats win and outlined strategies for winning targeted seats. Neubauer said it has been helpful getting to know leaders in other states where Democrats have successfully flipped control of their legislative chambers including Michigan, Minnesota, Pennsylvania. She said she has learned a lot from those leaders and is trying to bring those lessons back to Democrats in Wisconsin, especially when it comes to preparing to be in the majority. 'When we do win, we want to take advantage of the opportunity and pass policy that is going to materially improve people's lives very quickly, so that's been really helpful to me to speak with them about how they prepared to govern, how they worked with their caucuses,' Neubauer said, adding that Democrats have 10 new Assembly members this year and hope to grow that number now that the Legislature has passed new maps that no longer overwhelmingly favor Republicans. 'The level of program that we run during the campaign cycle, the amount of money we need to raise and candidates we're supporting has grown significantly since we got the fair maps. I'm getting all sorts of advice from those leaders both about governing and about effectively campaigning, winning majorities.' When it comes to its targets for 2025-26, Wisconsin is one of five of the DLCC's 'battleground' states where legislative majorities are determined by the slimmest of margins. New legislative maps were put in place last year by the state Legislature and Gov. Tony Evers after the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled the old maps were an unconstitutional gerrymander. Democrats in Wisconsin haven't held a legislative majority in the Senate or Assembly since 2010, and under the old maps, Senate Republicans were able to win two-thirds of the seats, while Republicans held a 64-35 majority. Under the new maps, Democrats in 2024 were able to pick up 10 Assembly seats and now hold 45 of 99 seats. They also added four Senate seats and now hold 15 seats out of 33 in that chamber. Wisconsin's 2026 elections will be the first time that control of the Senate will be in play as only half of the body was up in the last election and Assembly Democrats will again be working to try to win a majority. 'It is absolutely doable, but it is going to take quite a bit of work,' Neubauer said. Democratic lawmakers, she said, are taking a few approaches to getting things done for voters ahead of the next elections. This includes working across the aisle in the budget process to get investment into programs that Wisconsinites rely on, including child care and public schools and ensuring 'Republican attacks on our rights and freedoms are not successful' by upholding the governor's veto. Neubauer said her party is also 'focused on that long-term vision and communicating what we will do when we have a Democratic trifecta — how we will change the state, how we will make Wisconsin a place where everyone has the ability to thrive, wants to live, raise a family, retire.' She noted that Democrats introduced a package of bills in January to address prescription drug access, ensure students have access to food in school and help improve housing, but Republicans haven't shown interest in them. 'We have a big and deep policy agenda that we've been working on for over a decade that we are ready to implement, and so we just have to get out and communicate about it,' Neubauer said. 'And that of course looks like fanning out across the state, both in districts we represent and other communities, and talking about the work that we need to get done.' Neubauer said they are going to continue to work to lower costs, especially as 'Trump engages in reckless, irresponsible trade wars and weakens the economy for no good reason.' She said state legislatures are essential in pushing back on his agenda. The first part of Trump's term in office could have an effect on Wisconsin Democrats' chances as well, Neubauer said. 'We have a number of Republican legislators who have really tried to position themselves as being moderate. They go home to their districts and they emphasize the bipartisan proposals that they've signed on to or tried to get passed, but what they don't talk about is their voting record being in line with Republican leadership almost 100% of the time,' Neubauer said. Neubauer said that Wisconsin Republicans haven't distanced themselves from Trump's agenda. 'The first several months of the legislative session here in Wisconsin, we saw Republicans focused on culture wars rather than lowering costs for working families, making their lives easier, investing in our schools — the things that we all hear about when we run into our constituents at the grocery store,' Neubauer said. 'Republicans are going to have to answer for Donald Trump and his attacks on Wisconsin families next year, and that is going to be difficult for them to do in extremely purple districts.' Wisconsin's gubernatorial election is also coming up in November 2026. Evers hasn't said whether he'll run for a third term, saying he'll likely decide after the next budget is done. Republican Josh Schoemann, who serves as the county executive of Washington, is the first candidate to announce his campaign. 'We're all eagerly awaiting that decision,' Neubauer said of Evers' choice whether to make a re-election bid. '[I] always look forward to working with the governor.' Neubauer is one of seven legislative leaders joining the DLCC board alongside California Speaker of the Assembly Robert Rivas, Colorado Senate President James Coleman, Illinois Speaker Pro Tempore Kam Buckner, Michigan Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks, Oregon Speaker of the House Julie Fahey and Virginia Speaker of the House Don Scott. New York Senate President Pro Tempore and Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, who also serves as the DLCC chair, said in a statement that she is thrilled Neubauer is joining. 'There has never been a more important time to ensure we have battle-tested, experienced leaders at the helm of Democratic strategy in the states as Donald Trump upends Washington and our economy,' Stewart-Cousins said, adding that Neubauer 'embodies the diverse expertise needed to drive and elevate our strategy to build durable state power through the end of the decade.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Business Journals
24-04-2025
- Business
- Business Journals
GE Aerospace to invest $16M in Durham despite tariff impacts
GE Aerospace has hundreds of workers in Durham an thousands across North Carolina. Story Highlights GE Aerospace plans $1 billion investment despite tariff impacts. Durham facility to receive $16 million for increased engine production. GE Aerospace employs 2,000 people across North Carolina. Despite significant impacts expected from tariffs, GE Aerospace still plans to invest $1 billion into its manufacturing operation, including in Durham. Tucked away near Research Triangle Park, GE Aerospace operates an airline engine manufacturing facility with 400 employees. It's one of just three GE Aerospace commercial engine assembly lines in the United States. And of that $1 billion planned investment, $16 million has been earmarked for the Durham site. Tariffs, however, are taking a toll on the bottom line. On an earnings call this week, H. Lawrence Culp, CEO of GE Aerospace, reiterated the company's commitment to investing in manufacturing. But he also told analysts tariff policy would 'result in additional costs for us and our supply chain.' The company, based in Cincinnati, will seek to save $500 million this year by cutting costs and raising prices. But GE Aerospace does not plan to pull back in Durham. Kristen Neubauer, Durham plant leader said in an email that, 'as demand grows, we'll continue to build capacity into our shop to meet that ramp for our customers.' The firm doesn't provide site specific numbers, but said it delivered a total of 1,900 engines last year. In Durham, that includes engine models for regional aircraft (CF34), narrow body aircraft (CFM56, LEAP) and wide body aircraft (CF8, GE90, GE9X, GEnx). The company recently confirmed plans to make major investments at the site, including new assembly systems that will increase capacity. Neubauer said the focus is on creating 'world class processes' to be ready to ramp up the LEAP engine and wide body 9X engine. The LEAP will power planes such as the Boeing 737 Max and the Airbus A320neo. The GE9X will power massive Boeing 777Xs. 'We have done a lot of work focused on improving safety, quality and delivery,' Neubauer said. GE Aerospace has 2,000 employees across the state. GE Aerospace's investment in Durham is part of a $100 million commitment across the company's entire North Carolina operation that also includes $13 million at its West Jefferson site and $20 million at a facility in Asheville that produces engine parts. The company also has operations in Wilmington. GE Aerospace is a collaborator in Honda Aero, which has a facility in Burlington that makes the engine for the HondaJet manufactured by Honda Aircraft Co. in Greensboro. North Carolina is getting a lot of attention in the aerospace sector, including from JetZero, a next-generation jet maker considering the Greensboro area for a 10,000-job manufacturing plant.
USA Today
22-03-2025
- Automotive
- USA Today
BMW M5 Touring sales surpass expectations with equal demand for wagons and sedans
BMW M5 Touring sales surpass expectations with equal demand for wagons and sedans While it seems like there's always another new SUV coming out, wagons still hold a cherished, if shrunken place in the automotive world. BMW recently learned (to its surprise) that maybe that space isn't so tiny after all, as revealed in an interview of Sylvia Neubauer — vice president of customer, brand and sales at BMW M — with BMW Blog, where the VP dropped the news that the new M5 Touring (BMW-speak for wagon) is proving to be a sleeper hit with customers. When asked about the high-performance M5's production rollout, Neubauer admitted to BMW Blog that the original plan was to build more sedans than wagons. The split? About two-thirds of M5s would be four-doors and only a third would be Touring wagons. Turns out that the M5 Touring is far more popular than BMW M anticipated, with early orders skewing the mix to an even 50-50 split between the two body styles. Partly, this could be enthusiasm for the first-ever M5 Touring to make it to America; partly it's because historically, BMW hasn't built that many M5 Tourings for anywhere. 2025 Acura ADX: Pricing and features of Acura's new entry-level SUV Affluence made affordable: Our picks for the cheapest luxury SUVs of 2025 The M5 (Touring) is on sale now at over $125,000 If a long-roof take on the newest M5 tickles your tailgate, the 2025 BMW M5 Touring is available now starting at $125,275. If you want maximal handling upgrades, the optional M Driver's Package adds another $2,500 and includes a one-day high-performance driving class while M Drive Professional adds M Boost, M Laptimer, and the ten-stage M Traction Control is another $900 to the base price. You can also have your calipers in either black or red for no extra cost, but a set of M Carbon Ceramic Brakes will set you back another $8,500. If you want a few creature comforts in your ultimate driving wagon, there are some options to add to your 2025 BMW M5 Touring order. If you just want Active Driving Assist — BMWs radar-based cruise control — you'll need to add around $650, but a separate Driving Assistance Professional package adds in additional ADAS features for partial autonomous driving for $1,700. Glowing kidney grilles will add another $500 to your MSRP, but it's included as part of the $1,600 Executive Package that adds front and rear heated seats, interior camera, ventilated front seats, manual rear window shades and Parking Assistant Plus. Of course, if you want the M5 sedan, because traditional trunks and a mere four doors is your thing, the 2025 BMW M5 sedan is still on offer for $123,275 to start. C'mon, you know you want to spend the extra $2,000 for the Touring... Photos by MotorTrend Staff, Manufacturer
