Emily Holden

Emily Holden: Chronicling the Battlegrounds of Climate Policy

We’ve followed Emily Holden’s work for over a decade as she’s established herself among the most dogged reporters tracking the intersection of climate policy, corporate influence, and environmental justice. Her career trajectory reveals a journalist committed to holding power accountable through rigorous documentation of systemic failures and grassroots resistance.

Career Milestones: From DC Reporting to Investigative Entrepreneurship

• Early Career Foundations (2010-2016): Cut teeth at CQ Roll Call and Politico covering EPA regulations, developing expertise in parsing bureaucratic processes.
• Guardian US Expansion (2017-2020): Produced landmark investigations into fossil fuel lobbying and state-level climate obstruction for an international audience.
• Floodlight Launch (2021-Present): Founded nonprofit newsroom to deepen reporting on climate disinformation campaigns and corporate accountability.

Defining Investigations

• The story behind Florida’s new laws that strip cities of their ability to fight climate change Holden’s 2024 investigation exposed how utility companies and Republican legislators collaborated to preempt local clean energy initiatives. Through leaked emails and lobbying records, she revealed a coordinated strategy to frame municipal climate plans as “government overreach” while protecting fossil fuel interests. The piece became a case study in state-level climate obstruction, cited by multiple environmental law groups challenging similar legislation nationwide.
• Democrats' climate plan takes aim at the fossil fuel industry's political power This analysis of Senate Democrats’ 200-page climate blueprint showcased Holden’s ability to translate policy documents into compelling narratives. She highlighted the report’s novel focus on dark money networks funding climate denialism, contextualizing legislative strategy through interviews with bill architects. Environmental advocates praised the article for making complex political maneuvering accessible to general audiences.
• The EPA fired these air pollution scientists. They're meeting anyway. A poignant 2022 account of researchers continuing climate work unofficially after political purges. Holden humanized bureaucratic upheaval by profiling displaced scientists conducting garage-based experiments. The piece underscored her commitment to documenting both institutional erosion and individual resilience.

Pitching Priorities: Aligning with Investigative Climate Journalism

1. Follow the Money in State Legislatures

Holden consistently exposes how national fossil fuel groups coordinate with local politicians to block climate action. A successful pitch might detail ALEC model bills being adapted in swing states, particularly those targeting municipal renewable programs. Her Florida investigation [1] demonstrates appetite for stories that connect corporate dollars to specific policy outcomes.

2. Document Regulatory Capture

She prioritizes stories showing how industry insiders infiltrate regulatory agencies. Recent FOIA revelations about ex-Monsanto staffers directing EPA pesticide reviews could align with her beat. Her Grist piece on purged EPA scientists [3] illustrates this focus on institutional integrity.

3. Climate Disinformation Networks

Floodlight’s mission statement emphasizes tracking climate denial funding. Pitch leads on Shell-funded university research programs or API-backed community “astroturf” groups. Her Guardian analysis of Senate climate plans [2] reveals expertise in mapping influence networks.

4. Environmental Justice Crossovers

While not an EJ reporter per se, Holden often highlights how policy decisions disproportionately impact vulnerable communities. Data showing emission increases near Tribal lands post-Sackett v. EPA could complement her regulatory focus.

5. International Climate Accountability

Her Floodlight work on Canadian pipeline insurers [2] shows interest in cross-border corporate accountability. Pitch documents linking US investors to Amazon deforestation or Southeast Asian coal plants.

Awards and Recognition

• Society of Environmental Journalists Finalist (2023): Recognized for investigative series on utility company interference in state climate policies, cementing her reputation as a leading policy analyst.
• Columbia Journalism School Fellow (2022): Selected for prestigious program on covering democratic institutions, reflecting her nuanced understanding of regulatory frameworks.