NGOs endorse geothermal sustainable development pact

On December 17, 2025, eight organizations—the Center for Public Enterprise, Clean Air Task Force, Environmental Defense Fund, Federation of American Scientists, League of Conservation Voters, National Wildlife Federation, The Nature Conservancy, and World Resources Institute—welcomed the release of the Geothermal Sustainable Development Pact and the accompanying Principles for Responsible Geothermal Development. The groups stated that next‑generation geothermal technologies can provide sources of clean, resilient heat and electricity and described the principles as an initial step in identifying best practices for responsible development.

According to the announcement, the principles include early engagement and consultation with local communities, fair labor practices, avoidance and protection of sensitive areas and environmental and cultural resources, protection of water resources, use of near‑zero‑emissions electricity generation technologies, and use of the best available induced seismicity mitigation measures. The pact also contains provisions that, the groups said, can help overcome public data gaps and lead to more informed policymaking and project planning for next‑generation geothermal. These provisions include public disclosure of chemicals in hydraulic fracturing fluids, public disclosure of water intensity data, and use of the best available induced seismicity protocol developed by the U.S. Department of Energy.

The organizations stated they look forward to working with industry and other partners in a collaborative process to further develop, refine, and implement these principles and provisions to support the sustainable development of next‑generation geothermal energy.