How California's ambitious new climate plan could help speed energy transformation around the world

California is one of the world’s largest economies, and it’s aiming for net-zero emissions by 2045. A transportation expert involved in the plan explains why it just might succeed.

Daniel Sperling, Distinguished Blue Planet Prize Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Founding Director, Institute of Transportation Studies, University of California, Davis • conversation
Jan. 26, 2023 • ~13 min

How to design clean energy subsidies that work – without wasting money on free riders

Start high, drop fast and avoid the free-riders: How to design subsidies that can boost clean energy in the US and elsewhere.

Tiruwork B. Tibebu, Ph.D. Student, Rochester Institute of Technology • conversation
Nov. 21, 2022 • ~8 min

Energy transitions: why countries respond differently to the same problem

The current energy crisis is an opportunity to accelerate the transition towards clean energy – but some countries are better than others at pursuing major energy reform.

Jared Finnegan, Lecturer in Public Policy, UCL • conversation
Nov. 17, 2022 • ~7 min

COP27: five things to expect from this year's UN climate summit

Stronger pledges, more climate finance, and payments for loss and damage.

Jen Allan, Lecturer in Environmental Politics, Cardiff University • conversation
Nov. 4, 2022 • ~7 min

Why parents shouldn't be saddled with environmental guilt for having children

Much of the debate regarding the environmental cost of childbearing is underpinned by one influential study. Given the global commitment to net zero, should this be revisited?

Felix Pinkert, Tenure-track Assistant Professor, Universität Wien • conversation
Sept. 22, 2022 • ~7 min

What if carbon border taxes applied to all carbon – fossil fuels, too?

A new study shows what it would mean for Europe and China, and why the US might not be too excited about the idea.

Mark Finley, Fellow in Energy and Global Oil, Baker Institute for Public Policy, Rice University • conversation
Sept. 21, 2022 • ~6 min

The Inflation Reduction Act doesn't get around the Supreme Court's climate ruling in West Virginia v. EPA, but it does strengthen EPA's future abilities

There’s some confusion around what the new climate law allows the Environmental Protection Agency to do. A law professor explains what’s changing.

Patrick Parenteau, Professor of Law, Vermont Law School • conversation
Aug. 24, 2022 • ~6 min

Biden throws US solar installers a lifeline with tariff relief, but can incentives bring manufacturing back?

Only 13% of US solar industry jobs are currently in manufacturing. The Biden administration hopes the sector will grow fast, but that might not be so simple.

Emily A. Beagle, Research Associate in Energy Systems, University of Texas at Austin • conversation
June 7, 2022 • ~7 min

Biden throws US solar industry a lifeline with tariff relief, but can incentives bring manufacturing back?

Only 13% of US solar industry jobs are currently in manufacturing. The Biden administration hopes the sector will grow fast, but that might not be so simple.

Emily A. Beagle, Research Associate in Energy Systems, University of Texas at Austin • conversation
June 7, 2022 • ~7 min

Stockholm+50: Sweden hosts major UN environment conference, yet is losing its own green credentials

Domestic political tensions is undermining the country’s ambitions to act as a global role model.

Victor Galaz, Deputy Director and Associate Professor, Stockholm Resilience Centre, Stockholm University • conversation
May 31, 2022 • ~7 min

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