Project

Commission on Accelerating Climate Action

Overview

The scientific consensus is clear: the impact of climate change will be devastating and increasingly difficult to mitigate and adapt to even if we act now.

With such strong scientific evidence from the international scientific community, what has prevented the United States from taking decisive action to mitigate and adapt to climate change? Why are critical mitigation efforts often stalled, and how can energy transitions be more rapidly made? How can adaptation strategies be designed to reduce vulnerability for all and ensure that communities that are most affected, including communities of color and low-income groups, overcome barriers to action? How can the U.S. accelerate positive trends on climate action and work to reach zero emissions by the middle of the 21st century?

This Commission - launched in 2021 - worked to answer these questions and identify solutions that accelerate progress on energy transitions and climate change action across sectors throughout the United States.

The Commission presented its final report in October 2023, with Forging Climate Solutions: How to Accelerate Action Across America

The Commission's strategies, recommendations, and case studies are now online.

People

People

Commission Chairs
Commission Members

Rebecca M. Henderson

Harvard Business School
John and Natty McArthur University Professor of Economics
Academy Member

Russel L. Honoré

Commander of Joint Task Force Katrina, Leadership, Safety & Global Preparedness Authority

Elke U. Weber

Princeton University
Gerhard R. Andlinger Professor in Energy and the Environment
Academy Member
Staff

Kate Carter

Program Officer for Science, Engineering, and Technology

Leo Curran

John E. Bryson Program Director for Science, Engineering, and Technology

Jen Smith

Program Coordinator for Science, Engineering, and Technology
Publications

Publications

News & Updates

News & Updates

Events

Events