The climate crisis is an existential threat to all life on this planet and also represents an urgent governance challenge: both to redress harms and advance equity and justice in structurally marginalized communities. Out of this crisis emerges a unique opportunity to acknowledge the shortcomings of the administrative state and work toward meaningful reforms. The regulatory and climate governance institutions we need to accomplish a just, expeditious transition to a post-carbon economy, and to protect and respond to the impacts of climate change Americans are already experiencing, will have to be reimagined, rebuilt, and strengthened to put the well-being and rights of people first. The Center for Progressive Reform works at this nexus.
Research shows the impacts of climate change, from extreme weather to rising costs, pose significant risks to communities, with disproportionate consequences for people already facing economic and social inequities. Climate impacts, pollution, and economic harms fall on those least able to withstand, adapt, or recover from these assaults. Bad policy unjustly shifts the worst impacts onto communities according to geography, wealth, and race.
The Center brings a deep understanding of institutional governance as it relates to climate policy. This is particularly true of complex and difficult-to-access institutions, such as federal and state agencies, public utility commissions, national and regional transmission organizations, planning boards, public financing institutions, and others that oversee diverse aspects of climate and energy policy, energy democracy, and engagement of frontline communities. The Center also works to provide critical technical, research, and advocacy support to community-based and frontline organizations and to build capacity for impacted communities to engage in developing and influencing solutions.
By engaging at both the institutional and grassroots levels, we can support movements to overcome institutional governance challenges and drive policies that significantly reduce carbon emissions, enable a clean and just energy transition, repair the harm to historically excluded and structurally marginalized communities and groups, and create meaningful community participation in the decisions that affect people’s lives.
The Center focuses on the following areas and activities within its Climate Justice program:
The Center’s Climate Justice program draws deeply from our two other programs. Our Responsive Government program lends scholar expertise and deep programmatic experience in how public institutions work (and should work) in their decision-making, mandates, processes, and public administration. Meanwhile, our Protecting Against Environmental Harm program opens relationships with overburdened and environmental justice communities on environmental issues that are related but not directly attributed to climate impacts.
The Climate Justice program works in several regions. In Maryland and the Mid-Atlantic, we collaborate with partners, allies, and coalitions to develop, advance, and advocate for equitable state-based climate and energy justice policies. In North Carolina, we are spreading the word about the need for equitable decarbonization and meaningful public participation to ensure a just transition to clean energy. In Louisiana and the Southeast, we work in partnership with coalition partners to protect communities against carbon capture and storage hazards and more. And in California and the West, we’re working on state policies that incorporate climate justice. And, at the federal level, we seek to help states take advantage of climate funding opportunities.
Brian Gumm, Bryan Dunning, Catalina Gonzalez, Federico Holm, James Goodwin, Rachel Mayo, Sophie Loeb, Spencer Green, Tara Quinonez | March 12, 2026
To Advance Climate Justice, End Illegal Wars
Daniel Farber | February 24, 2026
What Happens to State Regulation if the Endangerment Findings are Gone?
Federico Holm | February 19, 2026
New Analysis: The Pathway to a Just Transition Grows Steeper
With the support of the Arlie Schardt Fund for Climate Justice, named in honor of the environmental advocate and renowned journalist, we’re forging a path forward for climate justice action and policy.