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Energy and Environment

Conservation Policy

We work to protect our lands, waters, ocean, and wildlife to address the linked climate and biodiversity crises. This work helps to ensure that all people can access and benefit from nature and that conservation and climate investments build a resilient, just, and inclusive economy.

Bald eagles fishing in China Poot Bay, Alaska. (Getty/Louise Heusinkveld/Photodisc)

What We're Doing

Conserve 30 percent of lands, waters, and ocean by 2030

“30×30” is a science-backed goal to address the linked climate and biodiversity crises by conserving 30 percent of U.S. lands, waters, and oceans by 2030. We work with a diverse coalition to achieve on-the-ground protections that benefit nature, the climate, and communities.

Move toward pollution-free public lands and waters

Despite the climate crisis, the oil and gas lobby continues to push for more drilling on public lands and waters. We advocate for energy policy reform and a just transition so that the land, water, and ocean shared by all communities can be used for the common good.

Confront racial and economic disparities in access to nature

People of color and low-income communities disproportionately lack access to nature and bear the impacts of its destruction. We work with front-line communities to advocate for policies that right historical wrongs and affirm Indigenous leadership and tribal sovereignty.

Advocate for nature-based solutions to the climate crisis

We cannot stabilize the climate without increasing protections for nature. One of the most effective strategies for mitigating climate change is to protect and restore more land and water. We work toward policies that connect climate action and nature-based solutions.

The Conservation Policy team works to protect our lands, waters, ocean, and wildlife to address the linked climate and biodiversity crises, boost the economy, and benefit all.

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Will the U.S. Housing Crisis Be Exploited for a Massive Public Lands Sell-Off? Report
The San Jacinto Mountains are seen from afar at the Big Morongo Wildlife Preserve in Morongo Valley, California, April 11, 2007.

Will the U.S. Housing Crisis Be Exploited for a Massive Public Lands Sell-Off?

Some politicians are using the nation’s housing affordability problems as a pretense to sell off public lands—an extreme agenda that puts America’s treasured lands and waters at risk without substantively addressing housing needs. A new initiative from the Trump administration publicly promises restraint, while specific proposals from Capitol Hill tell a different story.

Drew McConville, Doug Turner

Forecasting Disaster: How DOGE’s Cuts to NOAA Will Affect Weather Awareness and Well-Being Past Event

Forecasting Disaster: How DOGE’s Cuts to NOAA Will Affect Weather Awareness and Well-Being

Please join the Center for American Progress for the first in a series of virtual events highlighting the impact that DOGE’s cuts are having on the lives of everyday Americans; this event will focus on how cuts to NOAA will harm the weather forecast and Americans' safety.

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The U.S. terminated its 30×30 conservation plan but this also presents an opportunity (commentary) In the News

The U.S. terminated its 30×30 conservation plan but this also presents an opportunity (commentary)

In an op-ed published by Mongabay, Angelo Villagomez and Alia Hidayat argues that while President Trump's nixing of Biden's historic “30x30” conservation plan is a significant loss, a hopeful post-30x30 conservation framework may already be emerging.

Mongabay

Angelo Villagomez, Alia Hidayat

8 Ways Special Interests Are Asking President-Elect Trump To Sell Out U.S. Public Lands Report
Large rock formations seen through plants

8 Ways Special Interests Are Asking President-Elect Trump To Sell Out U.S. Public Lands

Corporate insiders have shamelessly lined up a suite of proposals to enrich themselves at the expense of American families and future generations. President-elect Trump will soon make his choice: reject these bad ideas or sell out America’s parks and public lands on the cheap.

Drew McConville, Jenny Rowland-Shea

Protecting Public Land Revenue-Sharing Governments From the Fiscal Risks of Economic Transitions Report
Joshua Tree National Park

Protecting Public Land Revenue-Sharing Governments From the Fiscal Risks of Economic Transitions

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the vulnerability of state, local, and Tribal governments’ dependence on payments tied to resource extraction on public lands. The Local Assistance and Tribal Consistency Fund offered a temporary solution and a framework for a permanent one.

Sharon Ferguson, Mark Haggerty

Disappearing Parks: How Project 2025 Would Decrease Protections for Nature Article
One of the towering pinnacles in Valley of the Gods within the Bears Ears National Monument is illuminated as the sun sets.

Disappearing Parks: How Project 2025 Would Decrease Protections for Nature

Eight landscape-level national monuments designated by the Biden-Harris administration have helped close the nature gap for millions of Americans, but their protections are at risk from extreme anti-conservation measures in Project 2025.

Sam Zeno

The Agenda of the 118th Congress’ Antiparks Caucus Article
A view of the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument, with downtown Los Angeles visible in the background.

The Agenda of the 118th Congress’ Antiparks Caucus

A new CAP analysis identifies the latest congressional antiparks caucus and their wide targeted agenda to dismantle America’s most beloved public lands.

Sam Zeno

State Leadership To Conserve Nature Past Event

State Leadership To Conserve Nature

Join the Center for American Progress and the National Caucus of Environmental Legislators for a discussion with state leaders about conservation policy successes.

1333 H Street NW, Washington, DC 20005

Beyond 30×30: Global Ocean Conservation Quality Is Lagging Behind Quantity Article
A green sea turtle swims among the corals of Lady Elliot Island.

Beyond 30×30: Global Ocean Conservation Quality Is Lagging Behind Quantity

The international community’s commitment to protect at least 30 percent of our ocean by 2030—a goal known as “30x30”—is both inspiring and challenging; but this effort must go beyond mere numbers and strive for quality, effectiveness, and holistic conservation.

Angelo Villagomez

5 Early Takeaways From the Biden Administration’s Conservation Atlas Article
People view the sunset from a proposed expansion area of the San Gabriel Mountains National Monument.

5 Early Takeaways From the Biden Administration’s Conservation Atlas

The Biden administration has released long-awaited metrics for U.S. land and water conservation that show national progress made toward ambitious “30x30” goals; but there’s also a deeper story to explore about the path ahead for ocean and land protection as well as the value and limits of numeric targets.

Drew McConville, Angelo Villagomez

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