A research agenda for economic resilience in fossil fuel–dependent communities

World leaders have committed to a transition away from fossil fuels in the energy system. Yet local communities across the United States depend on fossil fuel industries for high-paying jobs and essential public services. Building economic resilience in these communities will increase the likelihood of a successful response to climate threats and help ensure that the benefits and burdens of an energy transition are broadly shared. Policy support for fossil fuel–dependent local economies in the United States is growing but remains limited. Only a scant body of rigorous evidence exists on how to effectively and equitably increase economic resilience in these communities. This article describes the critical need for additional scholarship to help policymakers design, implement, and evaluate strategies for supporting the economies of fossil fuel–dependent regions. It also highlights key research questions that can inform decisionmakers in the years ahead.