What it is
Hal Harvey, CEO of Energy Innovation, and Justin Gillis, former New York Times climate reporter, identify the handful of policy levers that drive the majority of emissions reductions. Published in 2022, the book cuts through the noise of individual actions to focus on structural policy changes in electricity, transportation, buildings, and industry.
Why we picked this
This is the most practical policy book on climate. Harvey and Gillis do not waste time on awareness. They identify the specific regulations, standards, and incentives that have the highest leverage. If you want to know where your advocacy or vote has the most impact, start here.
Key takeaways
- About 75% of global emissions can be addressed through policies in just four sectors: electricity generation, transportation, buildings, and industry.
- Performance standards (like vehicle fuel efficiency rules and building energy codes) consistently outperform carbon pricing in driving emissions reductions.
- The book identifies the '20 policies that matter most' and provides a framework for evaluating which policy interventions have the highest leverage in any jurisdiction.