Fervo Energy Launches Geothermal Sustainable Development Pact to Set Industry Standard for Responsible Growth
Fervo Energy, a leading innovator in geothermal energy, today announced the launch of the Geothermal Sustainable Development Pact, a pioneering framework designed to establish best-in-class standards for planning, constructing, and operating geothermal projects. The Pact introduces 37 specific commitments across six key pillars: community engagement, workforce development, land use, water conservation and well integrity, induced seismicity, and emissions management.
As the world increasingly turns to renewable energy to meet growing electricity demand while reducing greenhouse gas emissions, geothermal energy is positioned as a reliable, carbon-free source capable of providing baseload power. However, rapid growth in geothermal development requires careful attention to environmental, social, and operational practices. Fervo’s new Pact provides a comprehensive blueprint for responsible geothermal development, ensuring that expansion protects ecosystems, supports local communities, and strengthens the transition to sustainable energy. Notably, many of the Pact’s commitments go beyond existing regulatory requirements, signaling Fervo’s ambition to set a new benchmark for responsible growth in the geothermal sector.
The Pact builds on the Principles for Responsible Geothermal Development, a set of guidelines co-developed by the Sierra Club and endorsed by both the Sierra Club and the NW Energy Coalition. Together, these documents articulate a shared vision for geothermal development that is not only environmentally sustainable but also socially responsible. By translating principles into measurable actions, the Pact creates a tangible framework for developers, operators, and stakeholders to follow, ensuring that projects deliver long-term benefits for communities, workers, and the environment alike.
“The Geothermal Sustainable Development Pact was borne out of a belief that the future of energy demands not just better technology, but better practices,” said Tim Latimer, CEO and Co-Founder of Fervo Energy. “We’re proud to have worked with the Sierra Club on the Principles for Responsible Geothermal Development, and we look forward to continued collaboration as we strengthen and expand the Pact. Our goal is to ensure that geothermal growth happens responsibly and sustainably—protecting the environment, supporting communities, and driving meaningful progress in the clean energy transition.”
The Pact emphasizes six core pillars, each representing critical areas where geothermal development intersects with environmental and social responsibilities. Community engagement focuses on actively involving local residents and Indigenous communities in planning and decision-making processes. Workforce development ensures that geothermal projects create equitable employment opportunities while providing training programs to cultivate skilled local labor. Land use and water conservation and well integrity address site selection, habitat protection, responsible land management, and sustainable water practices critical to maintaining ecosystem balance. Induced seismicity guidelines mitigate the risk of earthquakes associated with geothermal operations, while emissions management outlines strategies for minimizing greenhouse gas release and ensuring safe, low-carbon operations.
“The need for sustainable, reliable energy is growing every day,” said Jeremy Fisher, Principal Advisor at the Sierra Club. “Communities face rising energy costs while our environment continues to experience pressure from fossil fuel dependence. The Principles for Sustainable Geothermal Development, and now Fervo’s Pact, recognize geothermal energy’s critical role in the clean energy transition while prioritizing the health, safety, and well-being of people and ecosystems. We are proud to endorse this initiative and look forward to working together to ensure geothermal development remains both responsible and innovative.”
Fervo Energy highlighted that the Pact is intended to be an open, industry-wide standard. The company encourages geothermal developers, operators, policymakers, and community partners to become signatories and contribute to the ongoing refinement of its commitments. By creating a shared foundation of best practices, the Pact aims to foster a culture of collaboration and accountability, ensuring that geothermal projects in the U.S. and beyond adhere to consistent, high standards of environmental stewardship and social responsibility.
“NW Energy Coalition is pleased to see the launch of a broader conversation around responsible geothermal development,” said Fred Heutte, Senior Policy Analyst at NW Energy Coalition. “The Principles for Responsible Geothermal Development provide a strong starting point. With geothermal energy playing an increasingly vital role in helping meet clean energy and affordability goals in the Northwest and nationwide, it is essential that industry leaders, communities, and Tribes are actively involved in shaping these projects. Fervo’s Pact takes a significant step toward making that collaboration concrete, measurable, and accountable.”
The Pact is not only a response to the technical and environmental challenges of geothermal energy but also a reflection of the growing social expectations surrounding renewable energy projects. In recent years, public scrutiny of energy development has increased, with communities demanding transparency, fair participation, and tangible benefits from local projects. By setting clear standards for community consultation, equitable labor practices, and ecosystem protection, Fervo Energy positions the geothermal sector as a leader in socially responsible renewable development.
Fervo Energy’s initiative also highlights the strategic importance of geothermal energy in the global energy mix. Unlike solar and wind, geothermal provides continuous, baseload power, making it a critical resource for grid stability as intermittent renewables expand. The Geothermal Sustainable Development Pact ensures that the growth of this essential resource is aligned with environmental protection, social responsibility, and economic opportunity, creating a model for renewable energy projects worldwide.
By launching the Pact, Fervo Energy aims to inspire industry-wide adoption of responsible practices, encourage innovation in sustainable project design, and elevate geothermal energy’s role in the clean energy transition. The company has made clear that participation is open, signaling its intention for the Pact to evolve and strengthen through ongoing dialogue, collaboration, and shared learning among industry peers, regulators, and community stakeholders.
With 37 actionable commitments and a clear framework for accountability, the Geothermal Sustainable Development Pact represents a major milestone in the responsible development of renewable energy infrastructure. By prioritizing the environment, communities, and operational excellence, Fervo Energy is setting a new standard for how geothermal power projects can expand safely, sustainably, and equitably—demonstrating that clean energy growth and responsible stewardship can go hand in hand.
As the energy landscape continues to transform, initiatives like this Pact will play a crucial role in shaping a future where renewable energy is not only abundant and reliable but also socially and environmentally responsible, delivering long-term benefits for all stakeholders involved.
