Energy and Climate

Resources for the Future scholars are engaged with the linked issues of energy and climate policy on numerous fronts. Much of the work in this area is conducted within two RFF Centers: the Center for Climate and Electricity Policy and the Center for Energy Economics and Policy. Issues studied include how to cost-effectively constrain greenhouse gas emissions and limit cost uncertainties, strategies for promoting developing country engagement in climate change mitigation, policies to reduce emissions through averted deforestation and afforestation, and the question of climate change adaptation. Additionally, RFF researchers are tackling the question of U.S. energy security by examining options for reducing U.S. dependence on oil, and exploring the environmental and economic issues surrounding greater use of natural gas.

FEATURES

What the Experts Say about the Environmental Risks of Shale Gas Development

A new RFF report highlights a high degree of consensus among experts from government, industry, academia, and nongovernmental organizations about the key risks associated with shale gas production and development.

The Past, Present, and Future of Carbon Markets

New research explores lessons learned to date from carbon markets around the world and presents new issues to be examined in the future, such as the linking of existing markets.

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PROJECTS

Toward a New National Energy Policy: Assessing the Options

RFF's three-year project to analyze and assess U.S. energy options and provide tools for decision makers to use in formulating future policy choices.

Forest Carbon Initiative

A project to support the integration of forestry policy into emerging global greenhouse gas emissions markets has been launched by RFF. The work holds promise for future international climate agreements efforts to maximize sustainable development around the world.

U.S. Global Leadership Initiative

An initiative to develop new ideas for United States leadership in articulating a post-kyoto vision for international climate policy.

The Global Adaptation Atlas

This project will develop a dynamic new online tool to allow scientists, policymakers, and citizens to visualize the climate impacts likely to affect their region(s), what adaptation efforts activities are underway, and what gaps need to be filled.

PUBLICATIONS

Renewable Electricity Policy, Intermittency, and Cost-Effectiveness

Harrison Fell and Joshua Linn

Journal of Environmental Economics and Management | forthcoming | Related Discussion Paper 12-54

Fuel Prices and New Vehicle Fuel Economy—Comparing the United States and Western Europe

Thomas Klier and Joshua Linn

Journal of Environmental Economics and Management | forthcoming | Related Discussion Paper 11-37

Forest Carbon Economics: What We Know, What We Do Not, and Whether it Matters

Molly K Macauley and Nathan Richardson

Climate Change Economics | December 2012 | Vol. 3, No.4

Shale Gas Development and the Costs of Groundwater Contamination Risk

Lucija Anna Muehlenbachs, Elisheba Beia Spiller, Chris Timmins

RFF Discussion Paper 12-40-REV | March 2013

Economic Ideas for a Complex Climate Policy Regime

Dallas Burtraw, Matthew Woerman

RFF Discussion Paper 13-03 | March 2013

Cost-effectiveness and Economic Incidence of a Clean Energy Standard

Bryan K. Mignone, Thomas Alfstad, Aaron Bergman, Kenneth Dubin, Richard Duke, Paul Friley, Andrew Martinez, Matthew Mowers, Karen Palmer, Anthony Paul, Sharon Showalter, Daniel Steinberg, Matt Woerman, Frances Wood

Economics of Energy and Environmental Policy | September 2012 | Vol. 1, No. 3 | pp. 59-86

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