Advancing a Healthy Environment and a Thriving Economy
Latest
Import Tariffs and the Market for Vehicles
New modeling projects that the tariffs will reduce vehicle sales, raise both gas and electric vehicle prices, and modestly boost profits for US manufa
Job Exposure to Wildfire Risk in the American West
A new report from Resources for the Future finds that areas most prone to wildfire in the American West are also the fastest-growing job markets
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.
Watch Now | Global Energy Outlook 2025: Headwinds and Tailwinds in the Energy Transition
On Wednesday, April 9, RFF hosted an in-depth, virtual panel discussion on some of the potential long-term outlooks for energy markets and the global energy system.
Watch Now | Evaluating the Role of Wood Products as Carbon Offsets
On Wednesday, March 26, RFF hosted a webinar featuring industry experts discussing the role of wood products in decreasing net emissions.
Impact
-
Sharing Detailed Analysis
RFF has provided crucial modeling support for the development of major clean electricity standard policies, including three recent Congressional proposals.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Contributing Our Expertise
RFF's Business Leadership Council convenes corporations and NGOs to share lessons learned in implementing internal corporate carbon pricing strategies.
Issue 217: In a New Era, Staying on Track Toward Decarbonization
Check out our new issue of Resources magazine, which includes stories about the Chevron doctrine, industrial decarbonization, and more.
Improving Community Benefits Plans Can Optimize Local Outcomes
Community Benefits Plans and Agreements can safeguard the communities that will be affected by infrastructure development projects, delivering beneficial outcomes and mitigating harms. Successful examples exist, with applicable lessons outlined here.