Policy Design and Evaluation
Policymakers use a variety of methods, or instruments, to achieve certain goals. RFF experts evaluate the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of those instruments, and often identify novel approaches for policy design and implementation that help balance economic and environmental impacts.
Highlights
Featured Content
- Highlights
- Publications
- Events
- Editorial
- News
Journal Article — Mar 8, 2023
A Review of Retrospective Cost Analyses
This article reviews evidence from 28 peer-reviewed studies of the realized costs of 13 US Environmental Protection Agency regulations.
Journal Article — Jan 6, 2023
How Much Do Consumers Value Fuel Economy and Performance? Evidence from Technology Adoption
This paper evaluates the welfare consequences of automakers forgoing performance increases to raise fuel economy.
Journal Article — Sep 21, 2022
Environmental Regulation and Product Attributes: The Case of European Passenger Vehicle Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards
This paper implements a novel strategy to estimate the causal welfare effects of energy efficiency and carbon dioxide emissions standards on product attributes.
Media Highlight — Oct 6, 2021
Daily on Energy: Sheldon Whitehouse Says Carbon Pricing Is 'Highly Likely' for Democratic Spending Package
Daily on Energy: Sheldon Whitehouse Says Carbon Pricing Is 'Highly Likely' for Democratic Spending Package
Journal Article — Mar 8, 2023
A Review of Retrospective Cost Analyses
This article reviews evidence from 28 peer-reviewed studies of the realized costs of 13 US Environmental Protection Agency regulations.
Journal Article — Jan 6, 2023
How Much Do Consumers Value Fuel Economy and Performance? Evidence from Technology Adoption
This paper evaluates the welfare consequences of automakers forgoing performance increases to raise fuel economy.
Journal Article — Sep 21, 2022
Environmental Regulation and Product Attributes: The Case of European Passenger Vehicle Greenhouse Gas Emissions Standards
This paper implements a novel strategy to estimate the causal welfare effects of energy efficiency and carbon dioxide emissions standards on product attributes.
Working Paper — Sep 29, 2021
RCTs Against the Machine: Can Machine Learning Prediction Methods Recover Experimental Treatment Effects?
RFF researchers examine how well machine learning counterfactual prediction tools can estimate causal treatment effects.
Environmental Justice Series — Jul 21, 2021
Environmental Justice: Infrastructure Investments and Equitable Benefit-Cost Analysis
Environmental Justice: Infrastructure Investments and Equitable Benefit-Cost Analysis
Environmental Justice Series — Jun 17, 2021
Environmental Justice: Climate Impacts, Adaptation, and Resilience
Environmental Justice: Climate Impacts, Adaptation, and Resilience
Environmental Justice Series — May 12, 2021
Environmental Justice: Energy Equity and Transitions
Environmental Justice: Energy Equity and Transitions
RFF Live — Apr 28, 2021
An Equitable Energy Transition for Workers and Communities
An Equitable Energy Transition for Workers and Communities
Common Resources — Aug 27, 2021
The Right Policies Can Incentivize Cleaner “Blue” Hydrogen
Recent research suggests that blue hydrogen might not be as beneficial for the climate as its proponents claim. But according to RFF’s Jay Bartlett and Alan Krupnick, blue hydrogen may be far greener with the right policy incentives.
Common Resources — May 4, 2021
Can the United States Reach New Climate Goals Set by the Biden Administration?
New RFF research shows that three prominent federal climate policy proposals can drive substantial emissions reductions, particularly if combined—but additional policies or greater ambition will be needed to achieve new US emissions goals.
On the Issues — Apr 16, 2021
Biden Administration Plans New Paris Agreement Commitments, Revamping Electric Vehicle Subsidies, and More
A weekly newsletter connecting global current events, pressing climate and energy policy news, and economics research from RFF scholars.
Common Resources — Apr 15, 2021
Who Benefits from EV Subsidies? The Complicating Role of Zero-Emissions Vehicle Standards
Tax credits on electric vehicle purchases seem to benefit consumers directly. But the reality is more complex in states that also have zero-emissions vehicle standards.
Media Highlight — Oct 6, 2021
Daily on Energy: Sheldon Whitehouse Says Carbon Pricing Is 'Highly Likely' for Democratic Spending Package
Daily on Energy: Sheldon Whitehouse Says Carbon Pricing Is 'Highly Likely' for Democratic Spending Package
Media Highlight — Oct 6, 2021
The 2020 Climate Policy No One is Talking About
The 2020 Climate Policy No One is Talking About
Media Highlight — Aug 13, 2021
US Won't Hit Paris Goals Through Infrastructure Deal Alone
US Won't Hit Paris Goals Through Infrastructure Deal Alone
Press Release — Jul 29, 2021
Nations Differ on Climate Policies—But What Does That Mean for International Trade?
Nations Differ on Climate Policies—But What Does That Mean for International Trade?