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Stories in Arizona

Taking Action on Climate Change in Arizona

Landscape of cholla and saguaro cactus with mountains in the background.
Superstition Mountains Arizona, with its incredible landscapes, faces the interconnected crises of rapid climate change and biodiversity loss. © Robert Granzow

Our Chance to Lead

Climate change is no longer a distant threat. We are at a point where we have years, not decades, to take on the interconnected crises of rapid climate change and biodiversity loss. Arizona has long been a leader in innovation and adaptation, and we are well-positioned to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050—and do so in a way that benefits people and nature. 

An adult desert tortoise stands in the rocky sand of the desert.
Desert Tortoise Arizona’s diverse landscapes and the wildlife that depend on them are feeling the effects of climate change. © Dana Wilson/BLM

Climate Impact

Arizona is an incredibly diverse state: desert, grasslands, mountains; communities big and small; people that have been here for generations on native lands and those that are recent residents from other states or countries. Yet, we all have one thing in common—we are feeling the effects of climate change. Drought is prevalent. Wildfires are becoming more destructive. Record-breaking heat and storms that create flooding are getting worse.

Five blue solar panels in a field with a raptor upon one of them.
Solar Panel Array Red Horse solar and wind facility is a unique renewable energy project by TEP in Willcox, Arizona. © David Sanders/TEP

Climate Strategies

We bring people together to do something none of us could do on our own—address this climate crisis. Together, we must mitigate emissions and transform how energy is sited, generated and used; how people and goods are transported; and how buildings and products we use every day are designed and manufactured. We must also ensure that people and nature have the tools and resources to adapt to climate change impacts, particularly those impacts that are happening now.

Two white electrics cars parked at a charging station with bushes behind them.
Electric Cars The Alternative Fuels Data Center of the U.S. Dept of Energy reported Arizona has the 7th highest number of electric cars in the U.S. (as of April 2023). © Joenomias/Pixabay

Climate Solutions

  • Invest in clean energy and climate policies that benefit Arizona’s economy and communities.
  • Reduce emissions in how we move, how we power and where we live and work.
  • Support Arizona cities and towns in climate action planning and implementation.
  • Develop new mapping tools to ensure the responsible deployment of renewable energy infrastructure to protect intact landscapes.
  • Put Arizona on a path to net zero by 2050. 
Viewing

PATHWAYS AND CUMULATIVE EFFECTS

Brochure cover. A wind turbine towers over a field of ripe wheat.
Power of Place-West Front Cover © TNC

Power of Place-West

The Nature Conservancy’s study that identifies the optimal pathway to reach net zero emissions by 2050 across the 11 Western states. It demonstrates that with adequate planning now, the West has more than enough space to responsibly deploy more than 20 million acres of new renewable energy infrastructure without impacting critical natural and working lands.

Brochure cover. Water streams from two tall waterfalls over the face of a mountain.
Voices From the West Front Cover © TNC

Voices From the West

Many western Indigenous communities and Tribal Nations, currently and historically, have been excluded from energy planning and infrastructure development decisions. As many western states are embarking on ambitious efforts to transition to cleaner forms of energy and build greater climate resilience it is essential to engage Indigenous communities and Tribal Nations in meaningful inclusive planning processes early.

Preparing for a Net-Zero Future: An Overview of Low and No-Carbon Fuels in Arizona

In a decarbonized economy, manufacturing of low and no-carbon fuel will be needed to meet difficult-to-electrify end uses like shipping, long-haul trucking and industrial processes. Arizona’s abundant solar, proximity to California and geologic hydrogen storage resource make the state an attractive location for electrolytic hydrogen production to meet these needs.

Projecting Carbon Emissions Associated with Electrical Utilities in AZ

A report on the cumulative impacts of carbon reduction goals set by Arizona Electric Utilities in 2020. See the data here.

Arizona Thrives Phase I Report

The Nature Conservancy convened over 100 Arizona leaders in 2019 to explore solutions to climate change that work for people and nature.

ECONOMIC IMPACTS

Federal Climate and Energy Economic Assessment (2022): The Nature Conservancy commissioned BW Research to complete an economic assessment of key climate and clean energy provisions under consideration by congress. The report shows investments in clean energy and climate policies generate skilled jobs, secure domestic supply chains and support climate resiliency.

National Economic Report

Arizona Report

Arizona Fact Sheet

Growing Sustainable Industry Jobs in Arizona (2021): Arizona is known for robust economic development; however, it’s critical that the state focus on the development of a high-skilled and versatile workforce to maximize growth.

Economic Report

Fact Sheet

POLLING

How do Arizonans feel about climate and infrastructure? (2021): Learn more about key findings from a survey of Arizonans on the Federal Infrastructure plans.

Infrastructure survey fact sheet

PATHWAYS AND CUMULATIVE EFFECTS

ECONOMIC IMPACTS

Polling

Arizona Capitol Times Op-Ed

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In the global race for critical minerals, Arizona can lead the way responsibly

July 31st, 2023

This recent op-ed in the Arizona Capitol Times by our State Director, Daniel Stellar, discusses how Arizona can lead the way, responsibly, in the global race for critical minerals.

The Nature Conservancy is focused on two overarching conservation goals—mitigating climate change and combatting biodiversity loss. We recognize that the pathway to achieving a net-zero economy will require expanded extraction of critical minerals and new industrial facilities. Securing these rare-earth elements, which are the building blocks to clean energy technologies, has started a global race.

Arizona, widely viewed as a rising U.S. supply chain hub, is at the center of this new economy, as we are home to major EV manufacturing facilities, battery manufacturing and recycling, mineral processing facilities, solar and cleantech companies. Arizona also has sensitive waters, lands and natural assets to be protected, which presents both a challenge and an opportunity to set an example of how to do it right.

TNC Arizona is producing maps that highlight areas to avoid in order to minimize biodiversity impacts and is working with stakeholders on guidelines and best practices. It’s our hope that we can continue to collaborate effectively with the many partners needed to achieve our collective goals.

Arizona Capitol Times Segment

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Arizona Capitol Times Morning Scoop “Arizona’s Roadmap to Clean Energy"

July 11, 2023

The Nature Conservancy in Arizona State Director Dan Stellar, recently sat down with Arizona Office of Resiliency Director Maren Mahoney and Arizona Technology Council CEO Steven Zylstra for a discussion on Arizona’s roadmap to clean energy. TNC has done a lot of research on how best to advance efficiencies and inclusiveness in the transition to clean energy—with our expertise in nature-based solutions. While Arizona has made great strides, now is the time to do even more. It will take partners from all sectors working together towards durable solutions to help us achieve a net-zero emissions economy.

Media Contacts

Students walk down the side walk with Palo Verde trees lining the right side.
Arizona State University ASU's walkable corridors with tree canopy are an example of urban heat mitigation. © Mark Skalny

More Arizona Stories

Volunteers plant trees in Phoenix.

Building Healthy, Clean and Climate-Resilient Cities

TNC and partners are working in three Metro Phoenix neighborhoods to identify strategies to reduce heat and improve comfort and quality of life for residents.

A person wearing a hat and gloves hauls wood at a forest restoration site in Arizona.

Volunteer in Arizona

Volunteers allow us to increase our effectiveness and complete more critically important work while developing lasting friendships.

Landscape of a canyon with densely packed trees and a blue sky with clouds above.

New Research: Hotter and Drier Conditions Limit Forest Recovery from Wildfires

According to new research published, warmer and drier climate conditions in western U.S. forests are making it less likely that trees can regenerate after wildfires.