Advancing a Healthy Environment and a Thriving Economy
The latest
Issue 219: Policy Priorities Today for a Sustainable Tomorrow
In this issue of Resources, you’ll get a snapshot of the state, federal, or international policy implications of environmental and energy priorities.
Founders’ Day 2025
For more than 70 years, Resources for the Future has delivered research to shape policies that matter. Our mission has never been more important.
Our Areas of Focus
Designing Emissions-Reduction Strategies
We create net-zero emissions strategies that are effective, efficient, equitable, and beneficial to the economy—strategies that drive climate progress across the whole economy, including solutions for all major sectors.
Reducing Risk and Building Resilience
We work with decisionmakers to ensure that they have the information they need to build resilient and equitable communities, helping enable an effective transition to a cleaner economy for all people and communities.
Topics
Electric Power
Conducting research to inform the ongoing transformation and decarbonization of the electricity sector.
Transportation
Understanding the costs, benefits, and consequences of transportation policies.
Industry and Fuels
Solutions to decarbonize industry and transition away from fossil fuels.
Land Use, Forestry, and Agriculture
Examining the way natural, agricultural, and urban land is used and managed.
Climate Risks and Resilience
Analyzing risk and measuring impacts to inform critical climate decisions.
Equity in the Energy Transition
The United States and the world need to rapidly reduce greenhouse gas emissions to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. RFF research is examining the potential effects of how these efforts will affect the energy system and identifying pathways towards a more equitable and sustainable energy future.
Wildfires
RFF researchers are working to understand how communities, land managers, and policymakers can take steps to prevent wildland fires from becoming wildfire disasters.
Impact
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Sharing Detailed Analysis
RFF has provided crucial modeling support for the development of major clean electricity standard policies, including three recent Congressional proposals.
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Delivering Breakthrough Research
As part of a team that made international headlines, RFF's research and modeling on ice sheets found that sea levels may rise in excess of two meters by 2100—double previous estimates.
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Informing Key Legislation
RFF expertise helped inform the multibillion-dollar Energy Act of 2020 by demonstrating the benefits of additional funding for advanced energy technologies.
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Working with Decisionmakers
In collaboration with NASA, RFF research showed that twice as many Americans as previously thought live in areas that do not meet national air quality standards.
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Enabling Equity and Fairness
RFF's research on enabling equity in the energy transition helped inform Senate bills that would create jobs and reduce emissions by investing in local economic development and plugging oil and gas wells.
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Improving State Policy
RFF provides crucial assistance to states like Colorado where we helped show how to meet emissions targets through the use of flexible cap-and-trade policies.
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Stewarding Science-Based Solutions
RFF is leading a global team working to improve the science behind the social cost of carbon—a key metric that governments and businesses use to account for climate change in their actions.
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Contributing Our Expertise
RFF's Business Leadership Council convenes corporations and NGOs to share lessons learned in implementing internal corporate carbon pricing strategies.
Common Resources Blog
A blog that offers timely analysis and commentary about pressing environmental and energy issues.
In Focus Videos
Experts at Resources for the Future share insights about current energy and environment issues in this video series.
On the Issues
Twice per month, we connect the latest research on environmental and energy economics to global current events.
Resources Radio
A weekly podcast that features interviews with researchers and leading experts about climate change, energy, ecosystems, and more.
Resources Magazine
Our flagship magazine, covering the most important energy and environmental issues since 1959
Native Nations in the Energy Transition
This event, hosted by The George Washington University, will present the results of this research and explore additional topics related to Tribal energy sovereignty, the future of Tribal energy development, and how academic researchers can partner with Tribal nations to advance mutual interests.
Watch Now | Shifting Ground: Changes in Public Land Policies
Watch the second event in RFF’s If/Then series, which presents timely insights about substantive developments in environmental and energy policy.