Research + analysis
Forward Climate Foundation
501(c)(3) Foundation does research + education backing the coalition’s advocacy. 12 PhD-level researchers + 8 senior policy analysts. 47 reports published last year. Rigorous + evidence-based + policy-relevant.
Latest reports
Recent publications
‘Path to Net-Zero by 2050’ — comprehensive policy roadmap (May 2025)
Comprehensive analysis of US path to net-zero emissions by 2050. Sector-by-sector breakdowns. Federal + state + local policy requirements. Authored by Foundation policy team. — May 2025 · Full report 240 pages + 12-page executive summary
‘Just Transition: Workforce + Community Investment’ (April 2025)
Detailed analysis of workforce + community investment needed for fossil fuel transition. Federal program design + state + local approaches. Specific investment + program recommendations. — April 2025 · 140 pages
‘Methane Reduction Cost-Benefit Analysis’ (March 2025)
Comprehensive cost-benefit analysis of EPA methane regulations. Industry compliance costs + climate benefits + air quality benefits + economic impact. Used by coalition advocacy + court briefings. — March 2025 · 78 pages
‘State Climate Policy Effectiveness 2024’ (February 2025)
Analysis of 50 state climate policies + emissions outcomes. Identifies most + least effective policies. Specific recommendations for state legislators. Annual update; widely cited. — February 2025 · 165 pages
Foundation research areas
What we study
Climate policy + economics
Federal + state + local climate policy effectiveness. Cost-benefit analyses. Just transition + workforce. Climate finance + investment. Most-cited Foundation work area.
Energy transition
Renewable energy buildout. Grid modernization. Energy storage. Nuclear policy. Building electrification. Sector-specific analyses + policy recommendations.
Environmental justice
Pollution + climate burden in EJ communities. Community investment program effectiveness. EJ policy implementation. Coordinated with EJ-led organizations.
International climate
Paris Agreement implementation. Climate finance. International cooperation. Trade + climate policy intersection. Most-collaborative work area (with international partners).
Climate science + impacts
Specific climate impacts (regional, sectoral, demographic). Translation of climate science into policy implications. Tipping points + uncertainty. Significant work for advocacy.
Communications + public engagement
Climate communications research. What messages + framings move public opinion + policy. Coordinates with Foundation + Coalition communications strategies. Specific to political reality.
Foundation research team
Who does the work
Senior researchers (12 PhDs)
Climate science + economics + policy + political science + sociology + environmental engineering. Average 12+ years post-PhD experience. Several Foundation researchers are previous IPCC contributors. Some hold joint academic appointments.
Policy analysts (8 senior)
Senior policy analysts with policy government + advocacy experience. Translate research into policy recommendations + advocacy materials. Many have prior Hill or executive branch experience.
Research fellows + interns
8 research fellows (post-doc + early-career). 12-15 interns/year (graduate + advanced undergraduate). Pipeline for next-generation climate research talent. Many fellows transition to permanent positions.
Communications + design team
5 staff for translating research into accessible communication. Reports, op-eds, infographics, social media, briefings. Critical for research impact beyond peer-reviewed audience.
External partnerships
Collaborations with: Princeton, Columbia, Berkeley, Stanford, MIT, Harvard, Resources for the Future, Brookings, Carnegie Endowment, Center for American Progress. Significant external collaboration network.
Diverse team
Foundation team intentionally diverse: 56% women, 48% people of color, 22% international background. Climate science + policy benefit from diverse perspectives. Specific commitment to building diverse climate research field.
How research informs advocacy
Foundation + Coalition coordination
Foundation research → Coalition campaigns
Foundation research identifies policy opportunities + outcomes. Coalition designs advocacy campaigns based on research. Specific research questions arise from Coalition strategy. Coordinated work; separate legal entities.
Research-backed campaign messaging
Coalition advocacy materials cite Foundation research. Numbers + statistics + projections from Foundation reports. Adds credibility to advocacy claims. Particularly important for policy maker engagement.
Public testimony backed by research
Coalition members give public testimony at federal + state hearings. Foundation research provides evidence base. Specific to credible testimony at official proceedings. Significant outcomes from research-backed testimony.
Op-eds + thought leadership
Foundation researchers write op-eds + thought leadership pieces. Coalition members + supporters share + amplify. Significant media reach + influence on policy debate. Specific publication strategy.
Court briefings + legal advocacy
Foundation research used in legal advocacy + court briefings. Climate-related litigation increasing; research supports legal arguments. Coordinated with movement legal organizations.
Conference + academic engagement
Foundation researchers present at climate science + policy conferences. Academic publication. Builds field credibility + influences research directions of others. Long-term field development work.
Cited in
Where Foundation research appears
Federal Congressional testimony
Foundation research cited in 47 Congressional testimonies (2024). Senate + House committees on climate, energy, environment, EJ. Specific legislative debates.
State legislative testimony + policy briefings
Foundation research cited in state legislative testimonies across 28 states (2024). Governor briefings, regulatory commission filings, state attorney general filings. Specific state-level policy outcomes.
Federal regulatory filings
Foundation research cited in federal regulatory comment filings: EPA, FERC, DOE, Treasury (climate finance), Interior. Most-impactful for shaping regulatory standards.
Court filings (climate litigation)
Foundation research cited in 12 climate-related federal court filings (2024). EPA litigation, methane regulation defense, state climate litigation. Increasingly important advocacy venue.
Academic + peer-reviewed publication
Foundation researchers also publish in peer-reviewed journals: Nature, Science, Nature Climate Change, Nature Sustainability, Energy Policy, Climate Policy, others. ~20 peer-reviewed publications/year.
Major media + journalism
Foundation research cited in NYT, Washington Post, WSJ, NPR, BBC, Reuters, Associated Press. ~250+ major media citations per year. Climate-policy reporters consistently cite Foundation work.
Recent significant findings
What our research shows
Net-zero by 2050 is achievable + economically beneficial
Comprehensive 2025 study showing US can achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 with $1.6T investment. Net economic benefit ~$3.4T over 30 years. Significant just transition policies required. Specific roadmap by sector.
Methane regulations: $4-$8 of benefit per $1 of cost
EPA methane regulations cost-effective: industry compliance costs $580M/year; climate + air quality benefits $2.4B-$4.6B/year. Significant net benefit; political opposition based on industry costs not societal costs.
Clean energy transition creates jobs (5M+ in US)
Specific employment analysis: clean energy transition creates 5M+ jobs in US, more than fossil fuel job losses. Geographic concentration matters: just transition policies needed for fossil fuel-dependent communities.
Climate damages ~$200B/year in US (already)
Annual climate damages in US (extreme weather, sea level rise, wildfire, agriculture) ~$200B/year. Increasing rapidly. Climate inaction more expensive than action. Cost-benefit favor of strong climate policy.
EJ communities bear disproportionate climate burden
Specific analysis: EJ communities (low-income, indigenous, communities of color) bear disproportionate burden of pollution + climate impacts. ~3x exposure rate. Climate policy must center EJ for equitable + effective response.
Public support exceeds policy ambition
67% of Americans support strong climate action. Bipartisan support for renewable energy. Public opinion ahead of Congressional action. Political pressure must align Congress with public support.
Research questions
What people ask
- Foundation 501(c)(3) supported by individual donors + foundations + government grants (research funding only). Major funders: MacArthur Foundation, Hewlett Foundation, McKnight Foundation, ClimateWorks, individual philanthropy. NOT supported by industry or political organizations. Independent research.