
Mandatory policies are critical to decreasing emissions of heat-trapping gases, and reducing the impacts of climate change on people and nature. The Conservancy works to mobilize governments to enact legislation that addresses the threat of climate change to the lands and waters on which we all depend.
The Nature Conservancy is urging political leaders at state, federal, and international levels to:
International Policy Frameworks
The Conservancy is working with world leaders to build support for an international climate change agreement that includes all major emitters and sources of emissions, including deforestation. We also advocate for funding to implement nature-based adaptation strategies to help buffer the impacts of climate change on people.
U.S. Federal Legislation
The Conservancy is calling for federal legislation in the United States that establishes significant reductions in emissions through a mandatory limit using market-based mechanisms like cap-and-trade. We are a member of the U.S. Climate Action Partnership, a coalition of major corporations and leading environmental organizations urging the federal government to enact legislation requiring significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
U.S. State and Regional
In the United States, state and regional efforts are catalyzing efforts in Congress to establish federal climate change legislation. The Conservancy is helping development and design of state- and region-wide emission reduction strategies.
Climate change picture credits (top to bottom, left to right): Photo © Mark Godfrey/TNC (oil refineries); Photo © Mark Godfrey/TNC (forest).