Volts

Why Climate Funders Don't Fund Housing Policy, and Why They Oughtta

In this episode, host David Roberts talks with Ben Holland of WRI’s New Urban Mobility Alliance and Caroline Spears of Climate Cabinet about why climate funders have largely ignored housing and land‑use policy despite its proven climate benefits. Holland shares his experience building data‑driven cases for dense, walkable development and the skepticism funders have about the sector’s measurability and stakeholder complexity. Spears argues that the housing affordability crisis is creating a new political constituency that can be mobilized, and that state‑level funding opportunities make urbanism a viable climate strategy. Together they debunk common funder objections and outline how targeted policy reforms can become a core part of decarbonization efforts.