Blackman's work on industrial pollution control analyzes public disclosure programs, economic incentive instruments, and voluntary regulation. He has also studied the adoption and diffusion of clean and climate-friendly technologies. His research on tropical deforestation assesses agroforestry systems and conservation policies such as protected areas and payments for environmental services initiatives. He also has worked extensively on U.S. environmental regulatory reform, including voluntary programs and mortgage innovations designed to affect land use.
 
Past work has examined conservation policies in Mexico and Costa Rica, air pollution issues along the U.S.–Mexico border, voluntary regulation in Mexico and Colombia, and voluntary efforts to clean up brownfield properties in the United States.