Research Reports

ELI’s Food Waste Initiative is publishing a Research Brief Series to present takeaways from the Initiative’s research, spanning a range of topics important to food waste prevention, recovery, and recycling. To access other research briefs in the series, visit: https://www.eli.org/food-waste-initiative/publications. State and City Food Waste Reduction Goals: Context, Best Practices, and Precedents reviews the status of food waste reduction goals in the United States.

Wildfire smoke is a complex mixture of pollutants that can impact communities near and far from the fire. One of the most harmful constituents is fine particulate matter (PM_2.5), which causes respiratory and cardiovascular problems, as well as neurological effects, endocrine disorders, and other adverse health outcomes. For most people who don't work outdoors, exposure to wildfire smoke occurs primarily indoors.

The federal government administers many programs to help states, local communities, tribes, and territories as they undertake infrastructure projects of all types, including resilience measures and natural infrastructure aimed at mitigating risks from natural hazards and disasters. The increasing impacts of climate change make investment in these project types more important than ever to help prepare and protect communities across the country. While this work is paramount, it comes with a high price tag.

Natural and nature-based infrastructure (NNBI) projects have been shown to be helpful in addressing environmental problems across various landscapes and to provide co-benefits not offered by traditional infrastructure solutions. However, as they are increasingly considered for implementation, project proponents face the necessity of securing regulatory approval from the appropriate federal or state authorities.

Cost-shared water resource development projects led by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers require an agreement in writing between the Corps and the project’s nonfederal sponsor. Such an agreement, known as a Project Partnership Agreement (PPA), is crucial to the successful construction and operation of proposed water resource development projects across the country. The PPA serves as a framework for the nature of the partnership throughout the course of the project’s life.