Vanessa Rivas Villanueva is a Senior Research and Policy Analyst based in San Francisco, California, where she works on Earthjustice’s Right To Zero Campaign.

Her work focuses on advancing zero-emission solutions across the industrial and transportation sectors by shaping policies and regulations that reduce emissions, increase clean technology deployment, improve air quality, protect public health, and elevate environmental justice priorities.

Before joining Earthjustice, Vanessa was an environmental consultant and supported the work of nonprofits and foundations. Much of her expertise centers on community-based stewardship, advancing environmental justice, supporting equitable management of natural resources, promoting marine conservation, preventing oil and gas extraction, and protecting livelihoods and wildlife.

Vanessa is from Guanajuato, México, and graduated from the University of California, Berkeley, with a BS in Environmental Economics and Policy.