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Climate Change - Developing Energy Policy

Developing Energy Policy in the U.S.

Issue

“The United States has yet to act decisively [on climate change]. The government has not committed to mandatory emissions reductions or ratified the Kyoto protocol.”

— “Confronting the Challenge,” Environmental Grantmakers Association

Funding

Nearly 20% of foundation grants for U.S.-focused climate change programs in 2007 funded policy work

Challenge

How can we support the development and implementation of climate change policies at the federal level?

Strategy

Reduce carbon emissions through state and regional policy initiatives that lead to the development of a national regulatory framework

Case Study

Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI)

Cooperative agreement among 10 Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states
Established an emissions trading program and aims to reduce power plant emissions
Supported by Pew Charitable Trusts, the Energy Foundation, and Mertz Gilmore Foundation
Mertz Gilmore has provided $830,000+ since 2007