New Jersey 2024-2025 Regular Session

New Jersey Senate Bill SR15

Introduced
1/9/24  

Caption

Urges lending institutions in State to stop financing projects that contribute to climate change.

Impact

SR15 seeks to address the critical issue of climate change by curbing financial support for practices detrimental to environmental health. It references the practices of major banks that have been found to intensify climate change through their financing activities. The resolution advocates for these institutions to align their investment strategies with more sustainable practices, following the example of banks like NatWest, which have committed to financing significant sustainable energy projects. If enacted, this resolution would symbolically reflect New Jersey's dedication to climate action and potentially influence lending policies across the state.

Summary

Senate Resolution No. 15 (SR15) urges lending institutions in the State of New Jersey to cease financing projects that contribute to climate change, particularly those associated with fossil fuels like oil, gas, and coal. The resolution highlights the environmental impact of financing these industries, which is linked to increased greenhouse gas emissions and catastrophic weather events such as storms, floods, and wildfires. In particular, the resolution cites alarming statistics that show the world's foremost lending institutions provided a staggering $3.8 trillion to fossil fuel companies between 2016 and 2020, undermining global efforts to combat climate change as outlined in the Paris Agreement.

Contention

While SR15 aims to promote environmental responsibility, the resolution may raise concerns within the financial sector regarding the economic implications of withdrawing funding from fossil fuel projects. Some stakeholders may argue that a sudden cessation of financing could disrupt energy markets and affect jobs reliant on these industries. The resolution does not mandate regulatory changes but acts as a call to action, which could lead to an ongoing debate among legislators and financial entities about balancing economic interests with ecological sustainability.

Companion Bills

NJ AR163

Same As Urges lending institutions in State to stop financing projects that contribute to climate change.

NJ SR81

Carry Over Urges lending institutions in State to stop financing projects that contribute to climate change.

NJ AR142

Carry Over Urges lending institutions in State to stop financing projects that contribute to climate change.

Previously Filed As

NJ SR81

Urges lending institutions in State to stop financing projects that contribute to climate change.

NJ AR163

Urges lending institutions in State to stop financing projects that contribute to climate change.

NJ AR142

Urges lending institutions in State to stop financing projects that contribute to climate change.

NJ SJR2

Climate change: Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty.

NJ SR43

Urges Governor to impose moratorium on fossil fuel projects.

NJ AR57

Urges Governor to impose moratorium on fossil fuel projects.

NJ SR36

A resolution expressing the sense of the Senate that the United States, States, cities, Tribal nations, businesses, institutions of higher education, and other institutions in the United States should work toward achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement.

NJ AR56

Urges Governor and AG to pursue legal action against fossil fuel companies for harms caused by climate change.

NJ SCR108

Urging The State To Reject Energy Sources Found To Be Harmful Or Destabilizing To Our Climate System And Environment And To Commit To Renewable Energy And The Values Of Hawaii's Residents.

NJ SR89

Urging The State To Reject Energy Sources Found To Be Harmful Or Destabilizing To Our Climate System And Environment And To Commit To Renewable Energy And The Values Of Hawaii's Residents.

Similar Bills

NJ AR163

Urges lending institutions in State to stop financing projects that contribute to climate change.

NJ AR142

Urges lending institutions in State to stop financing projects that contribute to climate change.

NJ SR81

Urges lending institutions in State to stop financing projects that contribute to climate change.

CA SB560

Public retirement systems: investments: financial climate risk.

TX HB295

Relating to establishing the Texas Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission to study and address the impacts of climate change in this state.

CA SB1320

Climate change: California Climate Change Assessment.

TX HB1044

Relating to establishing the Texas Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission to study and address the impacts of climate change in this state.

TX HB928

Relating to establishing the Texas Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Commission to study and address the impacts of climate change in this state.