Zachary Whitlock
Senior Research Analyst
Zachary graduated from the University of Pennsylvania in 2020 with a B.S.E. in Materials Science and Engineering and a B.A. in Earth Science. He then earned his MPhil in Environmental Policy from the University of Cambridge, where his dissertation focused on tracking trends in the climate change discourse of environmental lobbying organizations. Before Cambridge, his research interests lay at the intersection of materials engineering and environmental stewardship. Prior to joining RFF, he covered recent developments in voluntary ESG and climate initiatives for Longview Global Advisors.
Featured Content
- Highlights
- Publications
- Editorial
- News
Working Paper — Dec 12, 2024
From Catastrophe to Caution: The Effect of Wildfires on Community Hazard Mitigation Investments
In this working paper, the authors examine the impact of wildfires on community-level hazard mitigation efforts, specifically focusing on participation in the Firewise USA program.
Report — Nov 22, 2024
Building Economic Resilience in Western Colorado’s Oil and Gas Communities
This report seeks to understand the opportunities and challenges facing US oil- and gas-producing communities as they seek to build economic resilience against an uncertain energy future.
Media Highlight — Aug 22, 2024
Aspen Public Radio: “CLEER’s Energizing Climate Solutions Summit Brings Ideas for Green Energy in Rural Communities to Aspen”
This article includes comments made by RFF Senior Research Analyst Zachary Whitlock during a forum to discuss green energy for rural communities.
Media Highlight — Aug 20, 2024
Axios: “Wanted: A Better Map for Place-Based Policies”
A blog post by RFF scholars Daniel Raimi, Alexandra Thompson, and Zachary Whitlock about place-based policies is featured in Axios' energy newsletter.
Working Paper — Dec 12, 2024
From Catastrophe to Caution: The Effect of Wildfires on Community Hazard Mitigation Investments
In this working paper, the authors examine the impact of wildfires on community-level hazard mitigation efforts, specifically focusing on participation in the Firewise USA program.
Report — Nov 22, 2024
Building Economic Resilience in Western Colorado’s Oil and Gas Communities
This report seeks to understand the opportunities and challenges facing US oil- and gas-producing communities as they seek to build economic resilience against an uncertain energy future.
Journal Article — Jul 3, 2024
The Energy Transition and Local Government Finance: New Data and Insights from 10 US States
This article analyzes how fossil fuels and renewable energy contribute to local governments revenue in 79 US counties across 10 states.
Working Paper — Jun 18, 2024
Community Responses to Flooding in Risk Mitigation Actions: Evidence from the Community Rating System
Though communities damaged by floods routinely take measures to build resilience in the aftermath of flooding disasters, even if those measures are costly or politically fraught, disaster-driven measures are often not enough to protect communities from fu
Common Resources — Aug 19, 2024
Almost Everything Almost Everywhere All at Once: Why Place-Based Policies Are Not Targeting the Right Places
Place-based policies in the United States aim to provide support to specific locations. Unfortunately, major energy and environmental policies fail to target the places with the most need, diluting the intended benefits and suggesting the need for reform.
Common Resources — Oct 23, 2023
Federal Policy and New Mexico’s Energy Communities
Stakeholders in oil and gas–producing regions in New Mexico spoke with researchers at Resources for the Future about how the federal government can support economic resilience in these communities as the United States transitions to a low-carbon economy.
In Focus — Apr 20, 2023
In Focus: Causes for Climate Optimism
This video shares reasons for optimism about the future of climate research and policy, with RFF’s research analysts.
Media Highlight — Aug 22, 2024
Aspen Public Radio: “CLEER’s Energizing Climate Solutions Summit Brings Ideas for Green Energy in Rural Communities to Aspen”
This article includes comments made by RFF Senior Research Analyst Zachary Whitlock during a forum to discuss green energy for rural communities.
Media Highlight — Aug 20, 2024
Axios: “Wanted: A Better Map for Place-Based Policies”
A blog post by RFF scholars Daniel Raimi, Alexandra Thompson, and Zachary Whitlock about place-based policies is featured in Axios' energy newsletter.
Press Release — Jun 18, 2024
After Floods, Communities Invest in Resilience Measures. But Is It Enough?
New research finds that communities routinely take measures to build resilience in the aftermath of flooding disasters, even if those measures are costly or politically fraught.
Press Release — Jan 23, 2024
Renewables Can Build Revenue for Local Governments. For Fossil Fuel Communities, It Won’t Be Enough.
A new paper shows that, in the counties where fossil fuels play a major role in the economy, revenue from renewables won’t be able to replace those from fossil fuels due to lack of physical space and other barriers.