Data, Reports & Resources

NRDC is a leader and trusted source in environmental policy and research. 

From reports to issue briefs, we ensure accountability through peer review led by our Science Office, which provides data and scientific analysis that help shape and guide NRDC’s policies and positions. We also offer a range of other resources, such as 101 guides and consumer-focused scorecards to increase access to knowledge about how everyone can be a catalyst for change. 

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Offshore Drilling 101

GuideAlaska, West, Louisiana, Georgia, North CarolinaShelia Hu
A look into how drilling for oil and gas in the oceans works—and why it’s time to make it history.

Causes and Effects of Lead in Water

GuideUnited States, Flint, Michigan, IllinoisKeith Mulvihill

How this harmful neurotoxin got into our taps and what it’ll take to get it out.

Waiting Game: How the Interconnection Queue Threatens Renewable Development in PJM

ReportUnited States, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington, D.C.Dana Ammann
New NRDC analysis has found that even under recent reforms, the country’s largest grid operator is unlikely to approve new renewable projects quickly enough to meet even mandatory minimum state standards.

State-Based Food Waste Policy Gap Analysis and Inventory Reports

ReportMaryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C., Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, ColoradoDarby Hoover, Yvette Cabrera
Food waste costs the US $408 billion each year. Producing food that we do not consume swallows up roughly 18 percent of America’s cropland and 14 percent of our fresh water, and generates about 270 million metric tons CO2 equivalent…

Fighting for Safe Drinking Water in Flint

OverviewMichigan, Flint
Partnering with NRDC and ACLU, residents of Flint, Michigan took their local government to court in a battle for safe drinking water.

The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative Is a Model for the Nation

OverviewConnecticut, Delaware, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, VirginiaBruce Ho
RGGI's functions as a model for other states and regions hoping to reap economic, health, and social benefits in the transition to clean energy we need to combat climate change.

Lead Pipes Are Widespread and Used in Every State

SurveyUnited States, Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, New York, New Jersey, Missouri, Wisconsin, Indiana, Texas, MinnesotaErik D. Olson, Alexandra Stubblefield
An NRDC survey estimates that there are at least 12.8 million water pipes that are, or may be, lead, spread across the entire country. Use our map to find out about your state.

Food Matters Regional Initiative

OverviewAtlanta, Baltimore, Chicago, Cincinnati, Detroit, Jersey City, Madison, Memphis, Nashville, North Carolina, Orlando, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Washington, D.C.
Cities are addressing food waste in a holistic way—through prevention, rescue, and recycling.

Water Webinars 2020: Sharing Experiences Across the Americas

OverviewChile, Mexico, United States, CaliforniaAmanda Maxwell, Ed Osann, Tracy Quinn, Corinne Bell, Becky Hammer, Claire O'Connor, Joan Leary Matthews
NRDC and local partners are organizing a series of webinars about ensuring that more people and ecosystems are able to access clean water.

Our Forests Aren't Fuel

OverviewInternational, United States, Virginia, North Carolina, East
When companies cut down and burn trees to make electricity, the result is increased climate-changing carbon dioxide emissions, devastated ecosystems, and displaced wildlife.

Protecting the Baja Peninsula

OverviewUnited States, MexicoCarolina Herrera, Amanda Maxwell, Zak Smith
NRDC works with local partners to protect the Baja California Peninsula’s unique coastal and marine ecosystems from exploitation and overdevelopment.

Climate and Clean Energy Action in Latin America

Issue BriefMexico, Brazil, Peru, Costa Rica, ChileCarolina Herrera, Amanda Maxwell, Han Chen
NRDC is tracking countries’ progress on their climate commitments and encouraging bold action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Climate Change and State-Level Health Impacts

Issue BriefUnited States, California, Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Virginia, WashingtonJuanita Constible
Climate change threatens our health. Here’s what states can do to protect us from the impacts.

Chihuahuan Desert Grasslands

OverviewMexico, United States, Canada
The largest desert in North America is home to biodiverse grasslands that store large amounts of carbon and contribute to the livelihood of millions of people. Yet, these grasslands are highly threatened by human activity and a changing climate.

The Paris Agreement on Climate Change

Issue BriefUnited States, International, Brazil, Canada, China, India, MexicoHan Chen
While the Paris Agreement does not “solve” climate change, it is a critical inflection point that brings us much closer to a safer climate trajectory and creates an ambitious path forward for decades to come.

What's in Your Water? Flint and Beyond

ReportUnited States, Michigan, FlintErik D. Olson, Kristi Pullen Fedinick
The devastating lead contamination of the tap water in Flint, Michigan highlights potentially disastrous gaps in the provision of safe drinking water to all Americans—especially the most vulnerable.